During the carnival holiday from February 14 to 17, Ecuador saw a significant boost in tourism and commerce, resulting in $81.9 million in tourism spending, as reported by Luis Alberto Jaramillo, the Minister of Production, Commerce, and Investments. This amount represents a 12% increase compared to the previous year's figures. Jaramillo shared this insight through a message on social media, highlighting the positive impact of the holiday on the country's economy.

Hotel occupancy during the carnival period reached 49.6%, which is also a 5% increase from the previous year. The surge in tourism activity was marked by over 1,284 trips taken, which is a 6% increase compared to the same holiday in 2025. This uptick not only reflects the recovery of the tourism sector post-pandemic but also indicates the increasing trust and willingness of both locals and tourists to participate in travel activities during public holidays.

Particularly, the provinces of Bolívar, Tungurahua, Santa Elena, Galápagos, and Pastaza reported the highest hotel occupancy, while Cotopaxi, Morona Santiago, Loja, Cañar, and Sucumbíos were noted for their dynamic tourism spending. Jaramillo emphasized that tourism plays a crucial role in generating income and sustaining the economy, reaffirming its importance as a significant industry.