The Tourism Forum concludes with a heritage tour of the Andean Road Network

As part of the supporting activities for the ORU Fogar Bureau and Assembly and the “Glocal Forum 2026 – Tourism and Regional Economic Development”, held in Cuenca, Ecuador, on 2 and 3 July 2026 respectively, the Azuay Prefecture organised sightseeing tours of the cantons of Sígsig and Cuenca, as well as the parish of Molleturo, with the aim of showcasing some of the province’s rich heritage, culture and natural beauty.

The visits, which took place on Saturday 4 July, were designed to highlight the main tourist attractions at each destination, as well as the historical legacy linked to the “Qhapaq Ñan / Andean Road System – Cruz del Sur in the province of Azuay” project, promoted by Prefect Jota Lloret Valdivieso with the aim of showcasing this important ancestral heritage.

In Cuenca, participants toured the main attractions of the Historic Centre and the new Qhapaq Ñan urban route, which traces the path of this ancient road network through the districts of Todos Santos, Pumapungo and Las Herrerías. During the tour, they visited iconic sites such as the Museum of Indigenous Cultures, the Todos Santos archaeological site, the Pumapungo Ethnobotanical Park, wrought-iron workshops and the Plaza del Herrero, where they gained an insight into the traditional craftsmanship that characterises this area.

In the Sígsig canton, the tour included several of the attractions that make up the Milenaria Route, including the “María Auxiliadora Association of Toquilla Straw Weavers”, the Cueva Negra de Chobshi, the Duma Fortress and the Pailón; sites which, in addition to their historical and archaeological value, are closely linked to the Qhapaq Ñan road system.

Meanwhile, in the parish of Molleturo, the visitors toured the Paredones archaeological site, where they learnt about the importance of this complex as a former strategic commercial, military and ceremonial centre for the Cañari and Inca cultures, integrated into the Qhapaq Ñan. The delegation was welcomed by members of the San Pedro de Yumate community, who held a traditional welcome ceremony featuring a “pampamesa” and ancestral dance performances.

At the end of the tours, participants expressed their satisfaction with the experience and highlighted the quality of the information shared during the visits, which gave them a comprehensive insight into a significant part of Azuay’s cultural and tourist heritage. These activities marked the conclusion of the “Glocal Forum 2026 – Tourism and Regional Economic Development”, reinforcing the province’s position as a destination committed to the conservation of its heritage and the promotion of sustainable tourism.