Qualification in Ecuador
Promoting Local Culture and the Environment
Our Qualification Program in Ecuador
Ecuador offers breathtaking mountain landscapes, stunning beaches, and vibrant cities. Preserving these local treasures and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector requires awareness, knowledge transfer, and empowerment among tourism stakeholders. This is exactly where our project “Qualification in Ecuador” came in, focusing on professional training for local experts.
Well Prepared for Transformation
Together with local partners—the destination management organization Fundación Municipal de Turismo Cuenca, the Tourismusministerium Ecuador (MINTUR), and Hochschule Azuay—we advanced both the concept and implementation of responsible tourism at multiple levels. Funded through a development partnership under the develoPPP.de program via Sequa gGmbH, TourCert strategically trained sustainability managers in Ecuador. The project applicant was comundus GmbH.
Our Goal – Qualification and Empowerment for the Future
The project aimed to establish a part-time qualification program for tourism professionals and staff of local public destination agencies. Equipped with this knowledge, participants are able to guide their cities or regions toward sustainability certification, both during and beyond the project. By anchoring the program locally, the initiative helps address skills shortages while promoting the wider adoption of sustainable tourism.
Step by Step
Working together toward certification
Defining the framework
Laying the foundations
Qualifying and strengthening
Putting Learning into Practice
Sharing and Connecting
Our Impact
Milestones in Ecuador
The project was successfully completed in September 2019. Key achievements include:
Program design
In close collaboration with local partners, the full qualification program was developed and structured with a clear timeline.
Training
A total of 19 trainers at MINTUR and 15 trainers at the destination level in Cuenca were trained through intensive workshops. These trainers subsequently qualified 30 sustainability managers from partner businesses in pilot destinations.
Sustainable destinations
Trained experts are now supporting destinations such as Cuenca, San Joaquin, and Cajas National Park on their path toward sustainable destination development. Additional destinations are expected to follow.
Knowledge transfer
Together with MINTUR and Cuenca, the qualification program was embedded locally so that training continues beyond the project’s duration. Universidad del Azuay has integrated a sustainability manager course into its curriculum.
Impact
The project has created long-term employment opportunities for the local population while helping to mitigate negative impacts of tourism on culture and the environment. At the same time, it benefits international tour operators, as pilot destinations are positioning themselves as attractive sustainable travel destinations in Ecuador.
Discover Ecuador
Whether you are a traveler or a tour operator, Ecuador is always worth a visit. Through the “Qualification in Ecuador” project, we have strengthened quality and sustainability in tourism and supported destinations on their journey toward becoming sustainable travel destinations. Collaboration continues even after the project’s completion.
Do you have any questions?
We’d be happy to discuss our services with you and help you find the solution that best fits your needs. We look forward to hearing from you!
Angela Giraldo
Partner I Head of Empowerment