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| Tourism Law
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Tourism Law
The new Ecuadorian Tourism Law is designed to develop one of the
most prosperous industries in the world and protect the tourist
as the consumer. Highlighted is the fact that Ecuador is competing
in an international arena with other countries that offer good connections,
excellent roads, competitive prices, quality facilities, and great
accommodations. The priority is to work with a functional infrastructure
and with the people. The project, which has the backing of the World
Tourism Organization and the Latin American Parliament, is currently
being analyzed by the President of the Republic and will then be
sent to Congress for its approval. These entities have recommended
that countries update its legislation and redefine the role of the
State so that it becomes more of a facilitator and controlling body,
thereby paving the way for the private sector to have more responsibility
for tourism.
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The new law is based on four fundamental principles:
- A transition from a focus on satisfying supply (those
offering the service) to one focused on satisfying demand (the tourist
as a client and consumer who should be given quality service).
- The establishment of mechanisms designed to protect
tourists and increase their level of satisfaction so that they will
return to the country and encourage others to visit it, instead of avoiding
Ecuador. A satisfied tourist will lead to one new visitor, whereas an
unsatisfied one will convince seven potential visitors not to come.
- The simplification and delegation of control, supervision,
and monitoring to decentralized bodies in order to increase transparency
in State transactions.This will also cut down on public entities’
discretional decision-making when applying sanctions, giving licenses,
and carrying out all other administrative procedures related to the
tourism industry.
- The application of tax incentives to attract foreign
investment in the tourism sector. This is indispensable for developing
infrastructure as well as introducing higher quality products and services.
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In order to protect tourists as “end consumers”,
the Tourism Fiscal Office, dependent on the Attorney General’s Office,
was established. This body will deal with civil and penal matters and
will liaise with the Ministry of Tourism. Another aim of this project
is to eliminate the bureaucratic and legal barriers which prevent citizens,
whether a legal entity or individual, from becoming involved in the tourism
industry. This is the recommendation made by the World Code of Tourism
Ethics. The law also establishes two representative bodies from the private
sector: an advisory committee, which will be a consulting body for the
Minister, and the Federation of Tourist Chambers, which will represent
the private sector and publicity. Short-, medium-, and long-term planning
is necessary to sell Ecuador to the world as a “green country”.
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Other laws
For more information on Ecuadorian tourism laws, check out the "Ley
de Turismo" site (Spanish language only).
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