In 2019, during the World Travel Awards, Ecuador won 19 prizes, including four awards for incredible destinations: the Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Quito.
In this short article, we’ll discuss why it’s so great that Ecuador won these awards as well as why each of these destinations deserves the award. Soon you’ll find yourself planning your own Ecuadorian vacation!
World Travel Awards and the Tourism Industry
We all know the big-name awards for different fields. If you’re a scientist, it’s an honor to receive a Nobel Prize. If you’re a singer, then you’d love to get a Grammy. If you’ve served in the military, the Medal of Honor is the highest award you can receive.
And in the tourism and travel industry, it’s the World Travel Awards, known as “Oscars of Travel and Tourism.” Known as being the most prestigious awards in tourism and travel, the World Travel Awards seek to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellent throughout the industry.
Thus, it’s a high honor for a hotel, a resort, or a destination to receive these awards because they are the awards that all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry want to receive.
Guayaquil “South America's Leading Business Travel Destination 2019” and “South America's Leading Festival & Event Destination 2019”
Guayaquil has grown and become a developed city with a lot of potential for business and important events. The city has the largest seaport in the country, which has become the commerce gateway and the Ecuadorian economy axis.
You’ll see a little bit of everything in Guayaquil, and it’s great for corporate travel due to its substantial hotel infrastructure in strategic parts of the city as well as its diversity of museums, historical sections, and other leisure activities.
Cuenca “South America's Leading City Break Destination 2019”
If you need a vacation, Cuenca is the place to go, as it won South America’s City Break Destination in 2019. It’s a great place for some rest and relaxation because it has something for everyone.
If you’re a history buff, Cuenca is a World Heritage City, meaning that it has distinct cultural assets and architectural beauty. You can find colonial or neoclassical buildings, the world’s best flower market, and picturesque squares.
If you love nature, you can find moors, forests, and valleys nearby. And if you’re someone who likes nature and adventure, there are so many opportunities for extreme sports.
Finally, if you’re a foodie, you can’t go wrong with Cuenca’s culinary tradition that is associated with its customs and holidays. You’ll especially love the fusion of Andean and European ingredients, making it a great vacation spot.
Quito “South America's Leading City Destination 2019”
If you’re looking for a great city, Quito is your place, as it won South America’s Leading City Destination in 2019. There’s not very much to dislike about Quito as a city. You get great mountain views, the weather is practically perfect, and it is incredibly affordable.
In fact, Quito is often called the “most beautiful city in South America” because it’s surrounded by the Andes mountains. On clear days in the summer, you can even see the Antisana, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe volcanoes, and that’s pretty incredible.
Finally, you can’t go wrong with visiting Old Town, the first location in the world to be given the designation of UNESCO World Heritage site. Since it’s over 800 acres, it is the largest historic center in the Americas. You’ll find tons of colonial buildings, churches, and museums.
In particular, you might want to visit the neo-gothic Basilica del Voto Nacional, a particular church covered with native animals and some gargoyles.
Galapagos Islands “South America's Leading Beach Destination 2019”
The Galapagos Islands received the award for South America’s Leading Beach Destination in 2019. We all know the Galapagos Islands for their unique species and Charles Darwin’s visit to them in the 1800s. But they also have amazing beaches!
You’ll find some of the whitest sand you’ve ever seen and get to relax amid a plethora of exotic animals if you decide to visit the beaches of the Galapagos Islands. Some beaches that are particularly beautiful and popular include Tortuga Bay Beach, Bartolome Island Beach, Post Office Bay Beach, Puerto Chino Beach, and Red Sand Beach.
Important prizes
There are some other prizes that the country was honored to receive. Congratulations to the winners, this award is the result of your effort and commitment. Thank you for believing in tourism:
1.- South America's Leading Airport 2019: Mariscal Sucre International Airport - Quito
2.- South America's Leading Airport Hotel 2019: Wyndham Quito Airport
3. South America's Leading Boutique Cruise 2019: Galapagos Seaman Journey
4.- South America's Leading City Hotel 2019: Wyndham, Guayaquil
5.- South America's Leading City Tourist Board 2019: Public and Municipal Company of Tourism, Civic Promotion and International Relations of Guayaquil
6.- South America's Leading Conference Hotel 2019: Swissôtel Quito
7: South America's Leading Eco-Lodge 2019: Mashpi Lodge
9.- South America's Leading Luxury All Suite Hotel 2019: Plaza Grande hotel
10. South America's Leading Luxury Train 2019: Tren Crucero
11. South America's Leading MICE Hotel 2019: Oro Verde Hotel - Guayaquil
12. South America's Leading Resort 2019: Termas de Papallacta
13.- South America's Leading River Cruise Destination 2019: Ecuador
14.- South America's Leading Tour Operator 2019: Metropolitan Touring
15. South America's Responsible Tourism Award 2019: Hacienda Manteles
Ecuadorian Hotels Prizes:
Ecuador's Leading Boutique Hotel 2019: Illa Experience Hotel
Ecuador's Leading Boutique Resort 2019: Kapari Natural Lodge & Spa
Ecuador's Leading Business Hotel 2019: Hilton Colon Guayaquil
Ecuador's Leading Car Rental Company 2019: Avis
Ecuador's Leading City Hotel 2019: JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Ecuador's Leading Conference Hotel 2019: Oro Verde Hotel -Guayaquil
Ecuador's Leading Design Hotel 2019: Unipark Hotel
Ecuador's Leading Green Hotel 2019: Napo Wildlife Center Eco-lodge
Ecuador's Leading Heritage Hotel 2019: Molino San Juan Hacienda
Ecuador's Leading Hotel 2019: JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Ecuador's Leading Hotel Suite 2019 Presidential Suite: JW Marriott Hotel Quito
Ecuador's Leading Resort 2019: Hillary Nature Resort & Spa, Ecuador
Conclusion
Ecuador is a magical place and an incredible travel destination, well deserving of the travel prizes it received from the World Travel Awards. It’s definitely worth looking into planning a vacation to one or all of these incredible locations in Ecuador whether it’s to the beaches of the Galapagos Islands, the corporate friendly city of Guayaquil, the best place to relax and vacation in Cuenca, or the incredibly beautiful city of Quito.