Cuenca named best destination for short vacations in South America in World Travel Awards ceremony

Cuenca was named the “Best Destination for Short Vacations in South America” at the World Travel Awards (WTA) ceremony last night in Cancun, Mexico. Mayor Marcelo Cabrera was on hand to accept the first-place award.

Tourism officials expect a boost from the award.

Cuenca joined Bogota, Buenos Aires, Guayaquil, Lima, Medellin, Montevideo, Quito, Rio de Janeiro and Santiago, Chile, who took top prizes in other South American tourism categories.

The awards were based on results of international on-line voting sponsored by WTA. “Our awards are among the most legitimate in the tourism business because they are based on the opinions of real tourists, not so-called experts,” said a WTA spokesman at the awards ceremony held at Cancun’s Hard Rock Café. “Other tourism designations are usually influenced by financial considerations.”

Cabrera said the award will provide a significant boost for Cuenca tourism. “Other winners of the award have seen double-digit increases in the amount of tourists coming to town and we expect the same result. “The mayor thanked the Cuenca Municipal Tourism Foundation for Cuenca (FMTC) for its efforts in promoting the city.