ISS and Ministry of Tourism help put Ecuador on the cruise map

inchcapelogo1Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism and Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) have been helping to put Ecuador on the cruise destination map in a recent initiative to attract more cruise operators to the country.

Often a lesser known tourist destination in South America alongside Brazil and Argentina, ISS Ecuador worked closely with the Ministry of Tourism on the organisation of a cruise familiarisation trip to promote the country’s unique ‘four worlds in one place’ comprising the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, Andes and Pacific Coast.

During the trip, cruise line executives including representatives of Royal Caribbean Cruises, Silversea and Holland America were given a taste of the four contrasting worlds of the country, as well as its beautiful and varied ports including Esmeraldas, Guayaquil and Manta.

Jeffery Matthew Cohen, port operations manager for Holland America Group, commented on the experience: “It was a fascinating itinerary program that the Ministry of Tourism showcased for us. I was excited to see Ecuador from a guest perspective and it was very helpful to experience several port cities that I had not visited, such as Esmeraldas and Guayaquil.  I had only previously explored Manta.  Ecuador has a very rich cultural heritage that is very appealing to tourists, and truly has something for everyone.”

Additional highlights during the trip included a visit to Mitad del Mundo, the equator at the ‘middle of the world’ and Malecón 2000, an urban renewal project overlooking the Guayas River in Guayaquil where the visitors took in the historic houses and structures of the neighbourhood of Las Peñas. ISS also introduced each port and its benefits to operators.

Ida Vargas, ISS Ecuador Branch Manager, said: “We were delighted to assist the Ministry of Tourism with this cruise fam-trip to help promote Ecuadorian tourism and attract more cruise ships to our ports.

“Ecuador has so much to offer cruise lines operating in the Pacific.  The government has also made a considerable investment to attract more visitors to the experiences this unique country can offer.”

Pictured Left to right during the cruise familiarization trip in Ecuador: Thomas Alva Pemberton President TDE Tours Municipal Delegate – Shelley Steven – Planning Executive, Swan Hellenic – Bianca Farquharson – Account Executive, Royal Caribbean Cruises – Javier Hrycaniuk – Manager of the Port Contecon – Jeffrey Matthew Cohen – Manager Port Operations, Holland America Group – Shandra Stoeterau – Manager Land Programs, Silversea – Paulina Andrade – Connectivity Director, Ministry of Tourism – Ida Vargas – Branch Manager, ISS Ecuador – Basil Karatzas – CEO & President, Karatzas Marine Advisors – Carlos Prieto – Port Operations Controller, ISS Ecuador.

About Inchcape Shipping Services

Inchcape Shipping Services is the world’s leading maritime and cargo services provider. With some 300 proprietary offices in 69 countries, and a workforce of over 4,000 the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.

ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated maritime services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.

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