Following protests, the country hopes for a strong tourism rebound with Cuenca holidays

The Ecuador tourism industry is asking the government for extra promotion of the national holidays at the beginning of November. The Day of the Dead and Cuenca’s independence holidays fall on the weekend this year, on November 2 and 3, but Friday November 1 and Monday November 4 will be added, making for a four-day weekend.

Cuenca’s independence festival kicks off November 1.

“Because of the strike, we suffered massive losses during the Guayaquil holiday [October 11] and we are asking the government to strongly advertise the Cuenca holidays to help us recover,” says Paul Calderon, spokesperson for the Quito hotel association. “Because it is four days, this is the biggest holiday period of the year and many people add personal vacation time making it even longer.”

The national association of hoteliers estimate that occupancy rates for the October 11-13 holiday weekend averaged less than 20 percent this year due to protests while last year’s rates were above 80 percent.

“After the Cuenca holidays, the only holiday remaining this year is Christmas, which is a fixed date,” Calderon said, adding, “We will petition the government to add an extra day.”