The Heritage as a strategic focus at the Azuay Tourism Forum
The cultural and natural heritage, both material and immaterial, is positioned as the strategic axis and the central development engine of the upcoming Forum "Tourism and Regional Economic Development", which will take place on July 2 and 3, 2026 in Cuenca, Ecuador. This international meeting, organized by ORU Fogar and the Provincial Government of Azuay, will dedicate a specific session to analyze how to transform the historical legacy and uniqueness of the territories in a sustainable competitive advantage that differentiates tourist destinations.
The premise of the forum emphasizes that tourism can generate significant added value for a territory as long as it is based on heritage values and managed sustainably, integrating flow control tools and rigorous governance to avoid risks such as cultural commodification, physical degradation of the environment or gentrification. During the seminar, experts will discuss the importance of actively involving local communities and cultural actors in decision-making, ensuring that the tourist story is authentic and that economic benefits are reinvested in the continued conservation of sites.
This integrated management approach not only seeks to protect resources, but also to strengthen the socioeconomic fabric by creating jobs and boosting the creative economy, allowing traditions such as gastronomy, craftsmanship or living history act as vehicles of identity.
To conclude the event, participants will be able to experience this potential directly through guided tours of the Andean road system Qhapaq Ñan, covering spaces ranging from the historic center of Cuenca to the archaeological remains of Chobshi and Paredones de Molleturo, thus demonstrating that heritage, when managed coherently, becomes a development engine and a unique experience for the visitor.
