microREPORT #64: Nature-Oriented Tourism in Ecuador

ACDI/VOCA collaborated with IRG under the FRAME program to conduct an assessment of the ecotourism sector in Ecuador. The analysis combined the value chain approach and the Nature, Wealth and Power framework to allow essential environmental and social issues to inform a concrete assessment of competitiveness and long-term industry sustainability.

The study team concluded that the sector can become more competitive and sustainable by:

• building an industry orientation
• expanding inter-firm cooperation
• consciously investing in and promoting itself as a leader in a brand of sustainable tourism that appeals to a broad spectrum of market segments