After completing its first round of awarenes raising workshops in Manglares Churute, Machalilla, Chimborazo, and Cotopaxi, Fundacion Metis began in May to give form to the individual mascots that participants had elected to symbolize local conservation efforts in and around each protected area.  Mascots will be expected to help carry friendly and memorable messages, particular to each area, with the intention of instilling a sense of community pride and dedication to sustainable tourism as means to local conservation.

"Before having a marketing strategy, we weren't sure how Protected Areas could capture international and national tourists.  Now these are integrated in our national promotional strategy." 

-Patricio Gaybor, Manager of the Marketing Department, Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism

On 27 May, Conservation International (CI), in collaboration with Green Consulting, presented the final results of Tourism Value Chain Analysis for the Cotacachi Cayapas area to local members of the Ministry of Environment (MAE), community representatives, and tourism operators.  The analysis and summarizing charts showed that much of the tourism activities taking place in the area today are only really economically benefiting Quito-based operators and high-end haciendas. Local residents who are selling very few tourism-related goods or services are in other words not playing an active role in Cotacachi’s tourism value-chain and this in spite of Cotacachi Cayapas’ numerous visitors. 

By end of May 2009, and after four months of work on the ground, significant progress was achieved towards the construction of the first phase of the Chimborazo’s Interpretation Center.   Following strict environmental norms established by the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Tourism, and donor (USAID), the TNC-initiative is scheduled to be completed by end of July 2009 and will include the following: