Organisers of a sustainability-focused travel industry event held in Quito have worked with the city’s tourist board to give back to the local community.
The Connections Meetings event was themed on sustainability in the MICE industry, with educational sessions focusing on responsible business practices in addition to one-on-one business appointments designed to showcase authentic Ecuadorian experiences.
At the conclusion of the event, organisers and Quito Turismo donated materials including stationery and rucksacks to children from the Pululahua community.
Micaela Giacobbe, founder and director of Connections, says: “We felt it was only right to offer these materials from Connections Meetings in Quito to local children who can benefit from them – as a way of ‘walking the walk’ when it comes to sustainability. I’m really pleased to be able to give something back.”
Situated 40km from the centre of the Ecuadorian capital, Pululahua is the only volcano crater in the world to be inhabited by a community.
Norma Bock, director of MICE for Quito Turismo, said: “The equipment will be used by children at a summer camp called Pululahua Vuelve a Vivir.
“Many former residents of Pululahua have left the area, so the children will visit the crater to see how the community lives and works.”
Around 50 children will take part in the summer camp, which is part of an initiative by Rosa Chipantasi, a member of the indigenous community.
Chipantasi, who is working to secure a sustainable future for Pululahua, shared her experience during a session at the Connections event.
Connections is part of Europe’s largest travel trade media company, Jacobs Media Group, which also owns Travel Weekly.