Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - (Page 28)

DESTINATIONS CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA Ecuador has been registering a steady increase in international arrivals since 2002 and is expected to reach a milestone 1 million this year ECUADOR Update TRAVEL AGENT RECENTLY SAT DOWN WITH Patricio Gaybor, marketing manager for the Ecuador Ministry of Tourism, and learned of the country’s ongoing additions to its already vast tourism product. Struggling U.S. Economy May Benefit Destination While no tourism board likes to see Americans struggle financially, Gaybor admits that Ecuador, an incredibly affordable destination, will most likely flourish because of these tough economic times. And after Travel Agent’s recent trip, where we enjoyed such low-cost experiences as a 30minute cab ride for $2, we couldn’t agree more. “I’ve spoken with industry representatives who told me that Australia, Africa and Asia will be taking major hits in 2009. And for the traveler who loves culture, what do you have left after those international destinations?” Gaybor asks rhetorically. “You basically are left with Europe and Latin America. Because Europe is so expensive, many travelers will choose Latin Amer28 | TravelAgent January 5, 2009 ica. Ecuador is among the cheapest of Latin American destinations, and we use the dollar, so [those are] two big reasons why people will choose us.” According to Gaybor, Ecuador has been registering steady increases in international arrivals since 2002 and is expected to reach a milestone one-million mark in foreigners this year, the first time the country has ever reached that mark. The average annual increase in arrivals has been about 6 percent since 2002, but 2008 represented a whopping 13-percent increase, Gaybor says. “Since that was the highest ever, and since we are heading into a difficult year for the industry in 2009, we are not expecting to do that again,” Gaybor admits. “But if we can maintain the 6 percent average, we will be pleased.” In 2008, Ecuador had a $6 million budget allocated for the tourism industry. Because of the success and increasing pressure to live up to it in 2009, that budget has increased to $23 million this year, Gaybor says. Of that total figure, however, half will be designated toward funding hotel developments while the remainder will be used to market the country. Ecuador’s Program to Certify Agents in Sustainable Tourism Gaybor took over the position of marketing manager for the Ministry of Tourism in April. But before that, he was focused on improving the country’s ecotourism and sustainability. So it didn’t come as a surprise when he told us one of his main goals as marketing manager will be to further educate travel agents on sustainable tourism. According to Gaybor, the Rainforest Alliance is working with the Ministry of Tourism, the Ecuadorian Ecotourism Association, and the private sector to establish management practices for tourism that protect the destination’s ecosystems. Online workshops will soon be available to agents so they can obtain official certification as a sustainable tourism specialist in Ecuador. The program will launch sometime this year, Gaybor says, and will focus on three main components: general information on the country; operational

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - January 5, 2009

Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 Reality Check Online Now Contents From the Editor Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself Central & South America Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide Agenda CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 Hawaii's Luxury Offerings Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips News from the Caribbean and Mexico Classified Marketplace In the Spotlight Agent Access Editorial Index Advertising Index

Travel Agent - January 5, 2009

Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Reality Check (Page 1) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 4) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Online Now (Page 5) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Contents (Page 9) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 16) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 17) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 18) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Europe: Copenhagen is Replete with Designer-Savvy Digs (Page 19) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 20) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Pacific Asia: Krabi, Thailand, is a Serene and Beautiful Province Along the Andaman Coast (Page 21) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 22) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 23) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 24) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Canada: Great Slopes and Rooms in Western Canada (Page 25) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 26) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Las Vegas: The Luxor Reinvents and Redefines Itself (Page 27) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 28) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Central & South America (Page 29) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 30) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 31) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 32) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Caribbean, The Bahamas & Bermuda: St. Lucia Had an Exciting Year (Page 33) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Anguilla Has Numerous Properties Awaiting Visitors (Page 34) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 35) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 36) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cruises: Increasing Cruise Sales with Enrichment Programs (Page 37) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 38) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 39) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 40) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 41) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 42) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Cover Story: 2009 Survival Guide (Page 43) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agenda (Page 44) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - CLIA Puts a Keen Eye on Training and Education for 2009 (Page 45) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Hawaii's Luxury Offerings (Page 46) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Clients Continue Demanding Exotic and Experiential Trips (Page 47) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Classified Marketplace (Page 48) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - In the Spotlight (Page 49) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 50) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 51) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 52) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 53) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Agent Access (Page 54) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Editorial Index (Page 55) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page 56) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - January 5, 2009 - Advertising Index (Page Cover4) 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