Quito Turismo: Wellness and Gastronomy in Quito with Alejandra Ordóñez and Rubén Lara | Travel Blog

Quito presents itself as a unique travel destination where culture, gastronomy, and wellness converge to create a deeply immersive experience for travelers seeking authenticity, balance, and meaningful connection.

The second edition of SCAPE Magazine, focused on Wellness and Gastronomy, features an exclusive interview with Alejandra Ordóñez, General Manager of Quito Turismo, and Rubén Lara, Director of Promotion, who share their vision of positioning Quito as a leading destination in South America.

Table of contents

• The Personal Journey of the Interviewees
• Rubén Lara’s Passion for Promoting Quito
• Quito: A Unique Destination in South America
• Quito’s Gastronomy: Identity, Flavor, and Wellness
  - The Favorite Dish
• Wellness Experiences in Quito
  - What Makes Wellness in Quito Unique?
  - Rubén’s Favorite Wellness Experience
• Promotion Strategy: Attracting the Conscious Traveler
• Favorite Images of Quito
  - The Winged Virgin of El Panecillo
  - Historic Center Panorama
• What It Means to Be Part of SCAPE Magazine
• Quito Turismo as a Sponsor of SCAPE Magazine by Voyagers Travel Company
• A Message for Travelers
• FAQs
  - Why is Quito an ideal destination for wellness?
  - What makes Quito’s gastronomy unique?
  - What type of traveler should visit Quito?
  - What are the must-see sights in Quito?
  - Where can I read SCAPE Magazine’s first edition?

Continue reading to discover a more mindful way to explore Quito and its unique essence!

The Personal Journey of the Interviewees

Alejandra Ordóñez’s Path in Tourism

Alejandra’s path into tourism goes back years. It started with local development and rural communities, and slowly became something more defined.

Her experience , including time in the Galápagos, pushed her toward sustainability and public management. That still shapes how she works today.

Rubén Lara’s Passion for Promoting Quito

Rubén Lara, started in tourism in 2008 as a tour guide, learning about Quito by experiencing it firsthand. Over time, his career moved toward destination promotion and development, strengthening his commitment to sharing the city with the world in an authentic way.

Quito: A Unique Destination in South America

There’s no single explanation for Quito.

Part of it is where it sits. The “center of the world” idea might sound like a slogan… but when you’re there, it’s easier to understand. Things overlap, regions, cultures, even food.

You notice it in small details more than anything else.

Quito’s Gastronomy: Identity, Flavor, and Wellness

Food here isn’t something separate you plan around. It just happens as part of everything else.

You’ll find:

• Traditional dishes
• Fusion options
• More contemporary cooking

Quito’s food relies on local ingredients, many of them organic and sourced from rural areas across the country.

The Favorite Dish

For Alejandra Ordóñez, if you had to pick one thing, it would be soups:

• There are well over 1,000 variations (maybe more)
• Most come from traditional recipes
• It’s something people experience every day, deeply connected to the city’s culture.

 

Wellness Experiences in Quito

Wellness here isn’t one clear thing.

It comes from different parts, food, nature, slower plans, even just changing environments.

What Makes Wellness in Quito Unique?

• Natural environments 
• Experiences with ancestral plants
• Hotel spas (some more high-end than others)
• Activities mixing traditional and modern approaches

 

Rubén’s Favorite Wellness Experience

Rubén doesn’t really point to one place.

For him, it’s more about moving around:

• Spending time in the Chocó Andino
• Trying treatments with chocolate or local plants
• Visiting places like Nono
• Going to spas that mix old and new techniques

It’s not one highlight, it’s the mix.

Promotion Strategy: Attracting the Conscious Traveler

The approach now feels more selective.

Some of the main actions:

• Participating in events like Madrid Fusión and Coffeefest
• Working with airlines and tour operators
• Putting more attention on sustainability
• Focusing on longer, more meaningful experiences

At the end, they’re trying to reach people who won’t just pass through.
 

Favorite Images of Quito

The Winged Virgin of El Panecillo

For Alejandra, this is one of the most recognizable images:

• Visible from different parts of the city
• Strong cultural meaning
• Easy to remember

 

Historic Center Panorama

Rubén prefers the Historic Center:

• Views from La Compañía Church domes
• Overlooking San Francisco Plaza
• A mix of old and new

 

What It Means to Be Part of SCAPE Magazine

For Quito Turismo, being part of SCAPE Magazine, from its first edition to the second, is an opportunity to present the destination in a more engaging and thoughtful way.

As Alejandra Ordóñez explains, it helps offer a deeper understanding of tourism through interpretation and insight, something not always found in traditional publications.

From a promotional perspective, SCAPE connects more directly with travelers, bringing a fresh way to showcase Quito and inspire new ways of experiencing the city.

Quito Turismo as a Sponsor of SCAPE Magazine by Voyagers Travel Company

As Alejandra Ordóñez explains:

“SCAPE is an excellent name. I really like it, but what stands out the most is the opportunity to provide a vision of knowledge, interpretation, and perspective on tourism. There are very few specialized publications like this, so it represents a great opportunity for Quito and for the country.”

From Rubén’s perspective, SCAPE:

• Connects directly with travelers
• Shows the destination differently
• Encourages exploration

A Message for Travelers

Quito isn’t trying to be a typical destination.

• Surrounded by mountains and volcanoes
• Deeply tied to its history
• Full of experiences that don’t feel staged

“Quito is not a typical destination. It’s something you feel, a place that connects you to the center of the world.”

FAQs

Why is Quito an ideal destination for wellness?

Because everything connects nature, food, slower plans. It doesn’t feel forced.

What makes Quito’s gastronomy unique?

It’s the variety of local ingredients and how everything is closely connected to the culture and sustainability.

What type of traveler should visit Quito?

Travelers who are looking for authentic experiences, with a mix of culture, nature, and a more relaxed way of exploring.

What are the must-see sights in Quito?

Quito is a truly beautiful destination, so it’s a must-have on your list of places to visit in 2026. However, you shouldn’t leave Quito without visiting the Historic District, the Virgin of Panecillo, and the Chocó Andino.

Where can I read SCAPE Magazine’s fist edition?

The first issue of SCAPE is available on the Calameo platform. There, you can read it and discover exclusive offers for all destinations in South America and Antarctica.