GAY TOURISM IN ECUADOR

This new market niche is little known in Ecuador, but not internationally.

since gay tourism is one of the fastest growing business areas worldwide.

In Ecuador this tourist activity is still in a growth process. There are already exclusively gay travel agencies, nightclubs, bars, saunas, educational forums in legalized and state-recognized institutions.

According to (Francisco Guayasamín, 2011), one of the most visited, loved and even chosen places to live by international gays is the beautiful city of Santa Ana de los Cuatro Ríos in Cuenca, something totally strange considering that Cuenca is still considered a conservative place.

Although in Quito there are not many gay places for entertainment, the nightclubs, karaoke bars and saunas are the favorite places for national homosexuals, this is not the case for foreigners, since they try to get out of the party routine to enjoy the beauties of the Ecuador, says Francisco Guayasamín, Tourist Guide of Ecuador Gay Tours, through online conversation.

Furthermore, he assures, “Tours for gays are nothing different than those for heterosexual people, the only difference is that you must be among people of the same sexual inclination or who do not have prejudices.”

On the other hand, the cities and people of the Ecuadorian mountains are mostly very attached to religion and considered conservative with respect to GLBTI issues, but contradictorily in Guayaquil it is difficult to contact agencies dedicated to this type of tourism, which for the On the contrary, in the city of Quito there are a range of options, ranging from hotels, agencies, saunas, nightclubs, among others.

However, in the city of Guayaquil, which was the site chosen to carry out the analysis of the current situation of the tourist offer for the GLBTI community, an information survey will be carried out, trusting that in future years, Guayaquil will be considered a Gayfriendly city.

Analysis of the current situation of the tourist offer for the community

GLBTI in the city of Guayaquil, and the expectations of growth and

inclusion of gay tourism in society

Prior to obtaining the Title of:

Engineer in Tourism and Hotel Business Administration

PRESENTED BY:

García Nieto Ruth Elena

THESIS DIRECTOR:

Ing. María Belén Salazar Raymond, Mgs.

GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR

2014