With the beginning of the holidays for the Costa regime, the possibilities to travel and take advantage of this time are expanded. Above all, because after two years, in this period of transition to the new school year, families will be able to enjoy without restrictions imposed by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This also generates expectations in the tourism sector, since it will take these months as an impetus to continue on the path of recovery that it has maintained since the carnival holiday.
Dayana Díaz plans to travel to Quito in the last week of March with her two children, ages 14 and 7. Last year, she relates, she did not travel anywhere from Guayaquil because the infection rate was still high. This year, however, she will opt to vacation for eight days.
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“Every year (before the pandemic) I balanced my vacations with those of my children so that I could travel for at least a week. But for two years we have been at home, ”says Díaz, who adds that his children have not left on a trip since February 2020.
Likewise, Karem Cangas plans to move from Guayaquil to Cuenca or Quito, as her daughter finishes her school year this week. During the last year, Cangas has traveled, but only to beaches near Guayas.
According to the National Federation of Provincial Chambers of Tourism (Fenacaptur), the destinations that are traditionally visited on vacations under the Costa regime are cantons of the Sierra such as Riobamba, Ambato, Quito, Cotopaxi, Pelileo and Cuenca.
Holbach Muñeton, president of the union, points out that although the areas of the coastal profile are valued, there is a greater inclination for long walks to the Sierra during vacation periods.
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Francisco Dousdebés, manager of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability of Metropolitan Touring, indicated that currently the travel demand for these months is divided by groups. For example, some people are interested in traditional destinations such as Quito, Galapagos and Cuenca.
Meanwhile, another group is looking for more niche destinations in the Amazon, in the northwest of Quito, such as the Chocó Andino and in areas that offer adventure products such as high mountains, rafting, kayaking and trekking.
Dousdebés also points out that there is a third group of travelers that corresponds to those who seek gastronomic tourism experiences as a complement to any of the aforementioned segments.
The operator Yaku Tours anticipates that a great demand will be generated after two years in which the holidays in the Costa region have been atypical. The firm currently offers packages available to national tourists and in the options full day, which are quite popular.
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For example, it is recommended tours of the day that include cycling, hiking, visits to cultural and adventure centers in San Pablo del Lago, in Imbabura.
This operator points out that the most frequent places visited by tourists coming from the Coast are Baños, Otavalo, the Middle of the World in Quito and Ingapirca, in the province of Cañar. That is why it aims to promote these destinations.
The head of Fenacaptur explained that those people who choose to travel within the same region include gastronomic tourism or guided tours to see handicrafts within their stays. Olón, Salinas, Montañita, Portoviejo and Manta are among the most visited destinations on the Coast. “The traveler is increasingly interested in experience tourism or value-added tourism,” notes Muñeton.
Douglas Dillon, operations manager of Farallón Dillon in Ballenita, stated that with the elimination of restrictions, it has been revealed that the preference of travelers is towards open places. In other words, those destinations that include beaches, parks and open-air cultural tours.
In this sense, he points out that the Santa Elena peninsula becomes the ideal option for families who do not plan to make long trips on the road or for many days. “This year, the aim is to get out of the confinement that young people and children have maintained, especially during the school period. Tour operators seek to offer rest time”.
Among the most requested places and that are being promoted these days to visit during vacations, Dillón indicated, are La Chocolatera, the Sea Lion Colony, the Chongón-Colonche Mountain Range and the toquilla straw drying center in Libertador Bolívar. In addition to sites that include paragliding adventure activities such as Olón and Montañita. (I)
Source: Eluniverso
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