As travel and tourism rebuilds following the global pandemic, research suggests a growing segment of travellers want to visit places that aren’t overcrowded and offer authentic and unique experiences.

On that note, Ecuador would like a word.

“That is something we do very well,” said Niels Olsen, the 35-year-old Minister of Tourism for Ecuador, a country that combines a small land mass – it’s about the size of the U.S. state of Colorado – with incredible natural and cultural diversity.

“Most of our tourism product is made up of small properties where visitors are encouraged to immerse themselves in local culture and cuisine, and to experience our incredible diversity in wildlife, plants and topography,” Olsen told TravelPulse Canada.

The minister travelled to Canada with a group of 20 local suppliers, who proudly shared their products with top travel advisors at Toronto’s Park Hyatt Hotel.

Ecuador tourism is best known for its cruising product in the Galapagos archipelago, a ‘life-list’ goal for many avid travellers. It’s an exclusive proposition – just 69 ships are licensed to cruise in the environmentally precious region, with a total of 1,690 berths -- one-third the capacity of many modern cruise ships.

While justifiably proud of the megadiverse islands it stewards, Ecuador is keen to introduce more foreign visitors to its mainland, which, despite its diminutive size, offers a huge range of tourism opportunities.

“Our message is ‘Don’t just go to Galapagos,’” Olsen said. “Well-educated travellers are discovering the magic of Ecuador, where they can stay at family-owned properties ranging from hostels to beautiful luxury hotels, immerse in the more than 40 cultures that make up this country, enjoy delicious cuisine and explore our amazing flora and fauna.”

The Ecuadorian government, led for the past two years by President Guillermo Lasso, has put a major focus on increasing tourism. It has lowered landing fees for airlines and put in place economic incentives that have resulted in a boom in new hotels and restaurants.

The diversity of mainland Ecuador is astounding. The 250,000 sq. km nation has four distinct regions – the Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, the Andes mountains and the Amazon River region. By venturing just 700 kilometres, visitors can experience some of the driest desert in the world – and the world’s rainiest rainforest.

Travellers can explore the nation from under the ocean waters to 6,300 metres in elevation. The country is home to more than 1,700 bird species, 527 amphibians and 25,000 species of flowering plant. One-fifth of the country is under government protection as natural treasure.

Crossed by the equator, Ecuador is a four-season destination, because the seasons don’t change much. While Air Canada has yet to restart non-stop flights from Canada that were derailed by the pandemic, it’s not hard to get to this emerging South American destination.

Currently there are 84 weekly flights from the U.S. on seven routes, and Canadians can easily travel to Quito or Guayaquil through New York or Miami, among other options.

Rebecca Braak, founder and general manager of DMC and tour operator Rebecca Adventure Travel, invites Canadian travellers to discover Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands “through local eyes.”

“We offer nothing that is mass tourism,” Braak told TravelPulse Canada. “It is pure, authentic travel and we only work with family-owned operations. Whether they’re looking for a luxury safari in the Galapagos Islands, an active adventure in the Andes, or a tour focusing on the diverse cuisines of different regions, we offer travellers an experience that only Ecuador can provide.”

With an engaged government and a burgeoning tourism industry focused on sustainable travel, you can expect to hear a lot more about Ecuador in the coming years, as travellers seeking meaningful experiences set out to discover one of Earth’s special places.