What is so special about Ecuador's participation in the 2022 edition of IFTM Top Resa?
Niels Olsen - It's very important, because Ecuador hasn't been represented in France in this way for ten years. So we're very excited to be here this year. French travellers are a very important market for Ecuador. And we intend to have a greater presence in the French market from now on. IFTM Top Resa marks our return to the French tourism and business tourism market.
What obstacles still need to be overcome if demand in the French market is to take off?
Niels Olsen - We are working to relaunch air connectivity, which was interrupted by the pandemic. I met the Minister for Tourism, Olivia Grégoire, and we discussed the issue. The flight Air France between Paris and Quito ceased operations with the crisis, but I'm confident that the air link will resume very soon. Not least because the service provided by KLM since Amsterdam is showing very good occupancy rates, and this is what Air France was monitoring before resuming its flight. For the time being, French travellers will therefore have to make a stopover at Schiphol or Madrid. But I think that by the end of the year, we will have regained 90% of the air connectivity we had before the crisis..
Should Quito be considered the heart of MICE in Ecuador?
Niels Olsen - Ecuador is a destination with a lot to offer the MICE market in terms of authentic experiences. Quito but also Guayaquil are the two epicentres of the country's MICE offering. In fact, a CICA was held last week in Guayaquil, bringing together a large number of buyers from the Latin American region.
Is the hotel offer sufficient in terms of quantity and quality to attract major international events?
Niels Olsen - Exactly. Both Quito and Guayaquil have large hotels with meeting and events facilities. And new addresses are being added to their offer, such as Intercontinental and Ibis in Guayaquil. Ecuadorian chain Oro Verde is also opening new hotels.
What impact do you expect fromInauguration of the Quito metro ?
Niels Olsen - The arrival of the metro this year will undoubtedly make a huge contribution to the attractiveness of Quito, which in my opinion already had the most beautiful historic city centre in Latin America, and whose gastronomic scene is also booming.
Despite these assets, Quito and Ecuador still have the image of a regional destination...
Niels Olsen - Yes, at the moment the majority of events organised in Ecuador are regional. But the destination clearly has the potential to establish itself on a larger scale, and attract players from further afield.
What are the main European markets for MICE in Ecuador today?
Niels Olsen - Germany, the UK and Spain are the three most represented markets, but as I was saying, Ecuador hasn't been exhibited on the French market for ten years, unlike these three countries. Things are about to change!
