(Quito, Pichincha, 05/05/2016).- The Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization for the Americas -UNWTO-, Márcio Favilla Lucca de Paula, arrived in the country this Thursday to make observations from air and land routes of the areas affected by the earthquake in the province of Manabi, together with the Minister of Tourism, Fernando Alvarado Espinel and the Vice Minister of Promotion, Nathalie Pilovetzky.

After touring the so-called Zero Ground, they had a working meeting with representatives of tour operators in the affected area, Chambers of Tourism, Municipal directors of tourism and hotel representatives; subsequently they offered a joint press conference.

Favilla Lucca de Paula said this in situ recognition will allow both, UNWTO and international experts, to define the type of help they will provide to support the reconstruction of the affected areas; however, he emphasized that «the best way to show solidarity with the Ecuadorian people is to maintain and, if possible, increase tourism to that country».

In the joint statement which took place in the city of Manta, this afternoon. The participants stressed their absolute confidence in the country’s recovery and tourism development, stating that «Ecuador will continue growing very successfully as an important destination of the Americas and will maintain tourism as a main source for the country’s development».

The UNWTO representative said that «from the World Tourism Organization, we suggest the government share correct and credible information». He stressed the responsibility the press has at this time with respect to objectivity.

He emphasized the need for tour operators to inform permanently about the real conditions for visits to the country. At the conclusion of his speech, he congratulated the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador for initiatives, such as the Tour Solidario, which allows promotion of local tourism, and reiterated the support of UNWTO in an advisory capacity for the recovery of tourism in Manabi.

Favilla Lucca de Paula, came directly to the country at the end of the 60th session of the Regional Committee of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for the Americas, which took place on May 4 in Havana-Cuba, which was also was attended by the Minister Alvarado.

Ecuador is open to tourism

It should be noted that the Minister Fernando Alvarado, in declarations in Havana and at the joint press conference in Manta, stressed the need to inform the world that Ecuador is open to tourism. It has not closed its ports and airports, which continue to function normally. Even the affected areas have spaces to receive tourists safely, said the Minister.

He stated that in Manta, 50% of the hotels are operating safely for tourists. In the category Food and Beverages, 118 locals are currently operating and providing services to tourists in the area.

Solidarity Tour for Manabi

One of the immediate strategies prompted by the Ministry of Tourism is the Tour Solidario (Solidarity Tour) for Manabi, which has had a positive response from the public. The objective of this initiative is to encourage that «resources remain in Manabi: with the tour operators, buses, candy makers and restaurant staff from Manabi. Tame airline is the only non-local business involved and it has been operating “not for profit” in this case. Ecuadorian internal revenue service has also waived taxes to encourage the incentive. This allows us to offer the package for around USD 90, said the Minister of Tourism of Ecuador.

Márcio Favilla Lucca de Paula

Profile

Is Executive Director of Operational Programmes and Institutional Relations of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) based in Madrid (Spain). Between January 2010 and December 2013 he held the position of Executive Director of UNWTO Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnerships. He has held senior positions in Brazil, including Deputy Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations of the Presidency of Brazil. Prior to this appointment, was the first Deputy Minister of Tourism of Brazil (2003-2007), where he played a key role in the restructuring of the first ministry dedicated entirely to tourism in Brazil.

As Deputy Minister of Tourism, actively he participated in the development and implementation of the first National Tourism Plan and worked to increase both, tourist arrivals to the country as domestic tourism.

Favilla Lucca de Paula holds a Master in Development Studies at the Institute of Social Studies in The Hague (Netherlands), where he specialized in regional development planning (1985-1986). He earned his degree in Economics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1979).