Metropolitan Touring, a tourism company that is part of Grupo Futuro, was born on March 15, 1953. A few days after celebrating its 70th anniversary, Paulina Burbano de Lara, CEO of the company, looks back on the beginnings, growth, effects of the pandemic. and their new projects. The company, which has in its portfolio destinations such as the Galapagos, the historic center of Quito and a point in Chocó Andino de Quito, applies the practice of zero neutrality through the compensation of emissions.

How was Metropolitan Touring born 70 years ago, what was the vision?

70 years ago the companies were not known, but Metropolitan Touring was born just like that, the initiative of three ‘crazy’ friends (Eduardo Proaño, Pablo Burbano de Lara and Hernán Correa) who bet on tourism. They came from the world of aviation. The three of them are no longer with us, they died, but they started with their dream to show the world the best of Ecuador and to introduce Ecuadorians to the world. Sixteen years after the founding of the company, they decide to bring a ship to the Galapagos and develop the business on the islands. Meanwhile, in 2001 Roque Sevilla and Grupo Futuro bought the company. At that time, Roque Sevilla was also called crazy, since Grupo Futuro came from the insurance industry and had nothing to do with tourism. I think that Roque had such a relationship with tourism because of his immense love for nature. From the beginning, Roque has said that the sun is what differentiates Ecuador, both for agriculture and for tourism and renewable energy.

Galapagos is Metropolitan’s most important destination, but they are expanding the portfolio, which destinations are they?

The strength is having three ships: Santa Cruz, Isabela and La Pinta and having a hotel Finch Bay Galapagos because this destination It is a gem that Ecuador has. But we expanded the destinations to offer guests who are not only coming to the archipelago for 4 nights, but also tour also in the rest of Ecuador. We always had an additional offer, with autoferro, express chivas, hacienda Pinsaquí, and even Flotel Orellana. The Metropolitan, in addition, had the multiple effect of several tourism projects. For example, although we left the Flotel Orellana, this initiative served to open up other options, not with the Metropolitan, but with the Anaconda and Manatí ships. One of them was commanded by Captain Garcia, who was also the manager of the Orellano Flotilla.

As for other destinations, how did they grow?

Casa Gangotena and Mashpi Lodge were created 10 years ago, as part of the offer of continental tourism. Like everything in this industry, it takes work and destination positioning. For example, it was not easy to promote Mashpi Lodge, located in the northwestern part of Quito. People knew Mind but little else. It took us at least 5 to 6 years for these products to mature, that is, for their financial viability.

What are the concepts of both destinations?

Mashpi Lodge is a private reserve with more than 2000 ha. It is preserved and we made an effort to enter the UNESCO biosphere area. In this location of 24 rooms, which has a cable car 2 km long, the visitor can see trees, birds, walk along the paths to the river from a different perspective. We have an air bike. We also created a research center through which species of plants and animals such as frogs were discovered. We have educational alliances with American and Ecuadorian universities, through which several papers. Casa Gangotena, with 31 rooms, is looking for the person who comes to find the true heritage of the historic center. Our guests connect with shops, clean, we recommend visiting the El Alabado museum, snacks. In both destinations, we currently have between 65% and 75%. We think that 2023 will be better.

How do you see the topic of the discussion on the issue of mining in Andean Chocó, where Mashpi is located?

We don’t like mining nearby. It is a capital intensive industry, we are not for mining. You can do anything with responsible tourism. We believe that the more we protect and learn to protect, the more sustainable this industry becomes.

Are your destinations carbon neutral? How did they do it?

All metropolitan destinations are already a carbon network. We do this by measuring how much carbon each passenger emits, from air travel, to diesel boat transfers, to their inland journeys to Mashpi Lodge. After calculation, it is compensated through the conservation program. The assessment was made with the advice of Sambit. In addition, the company has practices to reduce plastic consumption. The Galapagos Hotel has solar panels that have allowed it to cover its total energy consumption and will even begin injecting energy into Puerto Ayora’s system. From the last two months we are producing what we use and we are using what we produce.

What plans do you have for the future, what projects are coming up next?

We have several projects that have slowed down a bit due to the pandemic. Now we have to focus on getting back to pre-pandemic levels on the ships and in the three hotels we have. We are thinking of going back to the Amazon and having the Orellana flotilla again. We think about Cuenca and also venture into the dry forest of Manabí.