Ecuador's tourism chief plays down threat to tourism from political unrest
Gary NoakesEcuador’s tourist officials have moved to quieten concerns about political violence in the country surrounding the forthcoming general election on 20 August.
Presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio was assassinated at an election rally in Quito on 10 August. As a result, a countrywide state of emergency was declared for 60 days.
The Foreign Office is not advising against travel to Ecuador but does warn against travelling to border areas.
In its latest travel advice, the FCDO highlights the state of emergency, adding: “British nationals are advised to avoid any potential demonstrations, large gatherings or political gatherings, and to be aware of additional presence of police and army in the streets.”
The FCDO does, though, warn against all but essential travel to most areas of Ecuador’s border with Colombia due to “the presence of organised crime linked to the production and trafficking of drugs”.
Ecuador’s Tourism Board said it was essential to highlight political turmoil was “confined” and did not overshadow “the broader, positive tourist experience Ecuador offers”.
It added: “The National Government of Ecuador, upholding its constitutional responsibilities, has put into effect strong measures against organised crime and drug trafficking. These initiatives prioritise the safety of both Ecuadorian citizens and international visitors.
"We remain committed to preserving the pillars of democracy and ensuring the scheduled elections take place with fairness and transparency.”
Martin Johnson, chair of the Latin American Travel Association, said Ecuador was “a country that has generally avoided political unrest”. “The UK Foreign Office advice remains unchanged and Lata tour operator members are reporting that most holidays are unaffected at this time,” he said.
“We do, as always, recommend that travellers book through a reputable tour operator, who will keep a close eye on the situation and be able to make any changes to your itinerary, in the unlikely event that this becomes necessary."
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