Ministry will allow tourist guides access to 12 protected areas in the country

The Ministry of Environment (MAE for its Spanish acronym) will allow the work of the national guides in 12 protected areas in the three regions of the country. These areas were identified because of their great success in tourism.

These national guides, with academic qualifications in the fields of tourism and who possess the appropriate credentials, will join 753 naturalist guides who are currently working in the tourism industry.

The protected areas with tourist approach that could be visited are: Limoncocha, ecological reserves El Angel, Cotacachi-Cayapas, The Illinizas and Churute Mangroves, the Chimborazo Reserve, Geobotánica Pululahua, the Cuyabeno Wildlife, Coastal Marine Puntilla of Santa Elena and national Machalilla parks, Yasuní and Cotopaxi.

Between September and December of 2014 naturalist guides must also update their credentials.