Impacto económico del turismo en la ciudad de Guayaquil, año 2024

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most important economic activities for Guayaquil, not only because it attracts visitors from other countries and from within the country, but also because of the impact it has on boosting areas such as hotels, commerce, and gastronomy. However, in 2024, its performance was influenced by external factors such as violence and insecurity, which damaged the city's image and diminished its attractiveness as a destination. Although institutional initiatives have been identified that seek to change this situation through security policies and promotional campaigns, this scenario has restricted the sustained growth of the tourism sector. To achieve this objective, three specific goals were proposed: first, to determine what sustainable practices hotel SMEs are implementing in response to recent tourism needs. Next, to examine how tourism growth has influenced the demand and profitability of these businesses in recent years and to examine the effect of tourism on formal and informal employment. This study not only made it possible to identify the immediate impact on the local economy but also to highlight the structural obstacles that prevent the sector's consolidation. The findings show that, although the number of tourists has decreased, there has been progress in strategic sectors, particularly the hotel and restaurant sectors. However, tourism SMEs face the real challenge, as their survival is jeopardized by a lack of financing and technological modernization. It is concluded that to strengthen tourism in Guayaquil, it is necessary to coordinate efforts between the State, the private sector, and academia with sustainable policies that improve security, competitiveness, and infrastructure. This will ensure comprehensive and lasting growth.