As leisure travel rebounds to pre-pandemic levels, business tourism is surging back with renewed vigor. The meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, with a projected 7 percent annual growth rate between 2023 and 2032. This growth is driving MICE planners to seek out fresh and innovative destinations, and Ecuador is rapidly emerging as a key player in this evolving landscape.
The country’s three international airports in Quito, Guayaquil and Manta connect travelers to 17 countries and six U.S. cities via direct flights to New York City, Miami, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. The busiest airports serve Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest cities and MICE tourism hubs, providing easy access to the country’s best infrastructure and venues.
Quito
As the oldest capital in South America, Quito rises amidst the Andes Mountains at 9,350 feet and serves as Ecuador’s political center. Home to European, Moorish and Indigenous edifices that have been preserved since the 16th century, it is the first city to be declared a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Quito’s cuisine is complemented by a vibrant nightlife scene, especially in the La Floresta and Cumbayá neighborhoods, with live music and craft breweries. Furthermore, groups can hike the Pichincha volcano overlooking the city or venture to the nearby Cotopaxi National Park to marvel at volcanic landscapes and enjoy outdoor adventures.
Quito also offers a variety of MICE spaces ranging from luxury hotels such as Casa Gangotena and Illa Experience, to convention centers including the Quito Metropolitan Convention Center (CCMQ). Ecuador’s capital is also among five cities besides Bogotá, Buenos Aires, Lima and São Paulo, forming the South American MICE Alliance, an international association created to strengthen cooperation between the hubs and promote them as leading MICE destinations in the region.
The CCMQ is the largest convention center in Ecuador. Strategically located in northern Quito, it offers convenient access to the airport, hotels and the city’s commercial and banking district. It offers over 172,220 square feet of indoor space, including two exhibition halls, a 500-person auditorium and a large event hall. Certified in Accessibility and Universal Design by the Global Universal Design Commission, the CCMQ meets the highest accessibility standards, making it an inclusive venue suitable for a range of events.
Among luxury properties, the JW Marriott Hotel Quito, located along the Rio Amazonas Avenue, can host more than 1,800 participants across its 11 newly renovated meeting rooms, with the largest accommodating up to 1,200 guests. Additionally, Swissôtel Quito can house more than 3,000 meeting attendees across 17 conference rooms. The largest of these is the Neuchatel Completo meeting room, with a maximum capacity of 600 guests.
Guayaquil
The city of Guayaquil is an important economic hub in Ecuador and Latin America. The port city is located in the Costa region of the country and sits along the banks of the Guayas River. Guayaquil’s coast is lined with the Malecón 2000, a vibrant boardwalk that stretches over more than one mile. The Malecón offers numerous attractions to indulge in after work, including a 187-foot Ferris wheel with views of the city, restaurants serving Ecuadorian fare, and shops selling handicrafts made by local artisans.
The city’s main convention center, Centro de Convenciones de Guayaquil Simon Bolivar (CCGSB), has hosted over 6,000 national and international events since it was founded. Its location next to the Guayaquil airport makes it convenient for traveling attendees. CCGSB can host up to 500 people total in the exhibition space spanning over 68,000 square feet. This includes three exhibition halls and three conference rooms, perfect for medium-sized events. CCGSB also hosts concerts featuring local artists.
Travelers to Guayaquil will discover a smart city with top-notch infrastructure and free internet access in various locations. Noteworthy hotels include the Hilton Colón Guayaquil Hotel, located a five-minute drive from the airport. It can host up to 2,300 people in 23 meeting rooms, with the largest of these offering a maximum occupancy of 1,400 guests. Additionally, the Sheraton Hotel features Guayaquil’s largest meeting room. This hotel’s main auditorium can host up to 800 people and the entirety of the hotel’s event spaces can hold up to 2,689 people across 11 rooms.
For more information, visit www.ecuador.travel.
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