Comparative study of the gastronomic tourism management of Ecuador and its main south american competitors: Argentina, Peru, Chile, and Colombia

Abstract

The present work has focused on conducting a comparative analysis of gastronomic tourism management in the city of Quito, Ecuador, and its main competitors in South America. To carry out this analysis, the 2019 guide on the development of gastronomic tourism published by the World Tourism Organization will be used as a reference, serving as a benchmarking tool among South American destinations. This study has employed an integrative methodology that combines both quantitative and qualitative approaches, adopting a pluralistic methodological framework. This approach has allowed us to gather descriptive information, providing a deeper understanding of the study area, as well as quantitative data that will help project potential future scenarios regarding the territorial implications of gastronomic tourism in the analysis units. As a result of this study, the aim is to obtain the best practices in gastronomic tourism management from Quito's main competitors in South America. These successful practices will serve as benchmarks and guidelines to enhance gastronomic tourism management in Quito, thereby strengthening its competitive position in the region.