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Ecuador Once Again Stands Among South America's Leading Tourist Destinations
Some destinations captivate visitors with their beaches. Others are renowned for their gastronomy, heritage, or breathtaking landscapes. Ecuador, however, offers something few destinations can: it excels in all of them at once. The 2026 World Travel Awards widely regarded as the tourism industry’s most prestigious honors have once again confirmed that distinction, placing Ecuador among South America’s leading travel destinations with an impressive 57 nominations.
These are far from Ecuador’s only nominations. The country is also in the running for South America’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination, Nature Destination, Cultural Destination, Culinary Destination, Sustainable Tourism Destination, Whale Watching Destination, and Cruise Destination. Few countries in the region are represented across such a wide range of categories in a single edition. Together, these nominations reflect the remarkable diversity of a country where, in just a few hours, travelers can journey from the Andes to the Amazon, from the Pacific coast to the Galápagos Islands, from UNESCO-listed heritage cities to ancestral communities, and from one distinctive culinary tradition to another.
Four Cities, One Destination
The scale of this recognition is also reflected in the cities that strengthen Ecuador’s presence at the World Travel Awards. Quito, where one of Latin America’s best-preserved historic centers coexists with a vibrant contemporary urban scene, is competing for South America’s Leading City Destination and South America’s Leading Cultural City Destination. Meanwhile, Guayaquil whose iconic Malecón symbolizes the city’s transformation and growing appeal has earned nominations for South America’s Leading City Break Destination and South America’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination, reinforcing its position in two of the region’s fastest-growing tourism segments.
While Quito and Guayaquil showcase the strength of Ecuador’s major cities, Cuenca and the Galápagos Islands highlight another side of the country’s appeal destinations with unmistakable character and global recognition. Cuenca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for the harmony of its colonial architecture, is once again competing for South America’s Leading City Break Destination. Meanwhile, the Galápagos Islands, one of the world’s most iconic and biodiverse archipelagos, reaffirm their international prestige with nominations for South America’s Leading Beach Destination, South America’s Leading Honeymoon Destination, and South America’s Most Romantic Destination.
The 57 nominations tell a story that goes far beyond an awards competition. They speak of a country where nature and heritage cities exist side by side, where every region offers a distinct identity, and where the collective efforts of destinations, tourism businesses, and local experiences have positioned Ecuador among South America’s leading travel destinations. It is a country where nature, culture, cities, gastronomy, and hospitality do not compete with one another they come together to explain why Ecuador once again stands among South America’s premier travel destinations.
How to Support Ecuador at the World Travel Awards
The next chapter now belongs to travelers. Voting for the 2026 World Travel Awards South America remains open until August 28, 2026. Travelers can show their support for Ecuador and its nominated destinations, cities, hotels, tour operators, and tourism experiences by casting their vote here https://www.worldtravelawards.com/nominees/2026/ecuador
Every vote helps strengthen Ecuador’s position among South America’s leading travel destinations.
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