Ecuador stakes a claim

The Latin American Travel Association (LATA) recently announced a new system for grading the Health & Safety standards of the hotels used by it's members. Following on from that news, Ecuador has declared that it will be attempting to become one of the leading destinations in South America.
The Ecuadorian government has unveiled plans to increase it's annual investment in tourism from the $7m spent in 2007 to $23m in 2008, with more increases promised in subsequent years.
Offering the Andes, the Pacific Ocean, a rich ancient history and heritage, Ecuador could soon become one of the hot spots of the travel market over the next few years. Much of the country is wild and rugged scattered with hidden architectural treasures, the simple towns and villages in stark contrast with the modern developed cities.