As part of the Solemn Session commemorating the 203rd anniversary of Latacunga's independence, the city's Historic Center was declared the country's sixth Magical Corner this Saturday afternoon, within the Magical Towns and Corners of Ecuador program, promoted by the Ministry of Tourism.

This program promotes the development of new tourist destinations nationwide. Magical Corners can be neighborhoods, streets, blocks, or parishes. The declaration was submitted under the "Heritage Heritage" approach, recognizing that the boundaries of the Historic Center include 21 tourist attractions, such as the Casa de los Marquises, the Church and Plaza de La Merced, the El Calvario Lookout, the Church and Plaza de Santo Domingo, Vicente León Park, the Latacunga Cathedral, the Rafael Betancourt Zoological Museum, the Montserrat Windmills, and the San Agustín Church, among others.

Additionally, the area boasts 39 tourist establishments and 12 local initiatives, encompassing seven tourist experiences focused on culture, heritage, gastronomy, and tradition. Among these experiences is "Harika, la hora del chapo," where tourists become protagonists in the roasting, grinding, preparation, and tasting of the typical máchica. There's also the "Dressing Identity, Tradition, and Memory" experience, where, in addition to learning about the history of the Mama Negra festival, visitors can dress her daughter, María Mercedes, as she does every year for the celebration.

The Undersecretary of Tourism Development of the Ministry of Tourism, Carlos Orozco, presented recognition to the mayor of Latacunga, Fabricio Tinajero, recalling that all these cultural and heritage manifestations "They are a legacy that is also present in the warmth and kindness of its inhabitants, characterized by providing excellent services.He added that the declaration is valid for four years, and citizens are called upon to work together with public and private stakeholders to maintain this designation through continuous improvement actions for the tourism industry.

“Only six cities in our country have achieved this recognition, which means committing to continue working to preserve and safeguard our heritage, the cultural identity of that social fabric forged over these years, and towards this we have allocated a large amount of resources so that the people of Latacunga can proudly say: we live in one of the best cities in our country."said Mayor Tinajero.

Tourism Minister Niels Olsen congratulated Latacunga for the declaration, noting that “This town shows us its living memory, which is transmitted through the celebration of traditional festivals; the closeness generated in the craft markets and fairs; cultural and heritage activities; and its gastronomy, among other experiences we can enjoy in this new Magical Corner.”.

The National Government continues working to promote tourism throughout the country and develop new experiences that attract more travelers and boost local economies.