Plans for Quito’s first ever metro line were confirmed to a global audience of more than 60 international tourism buyers and 50 exhibitors from 22 countries as the city played host to the world’s only cultural tourism exhibition.

The Ecuadorian Capital became the third city to host to CULTOUR, the global travel event for heritage and cultural travel specialists, coinciding with its year as Americas Cultural Capital.

Quito’s Mayor Augusto Barrera, and Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism Freddy Ehlers announced the latest developments with Quito’s metro and airport to international media attending the event.

New Metro Line for 2016

Quito’s Metropolitan Municipality has just received a preliminary report on the city’s new metro line.

The project will begin with one line, Linea 1, from Quitumbe, in the south of the capital to El Labrador, in the north.

The plans include a metro line measuring 22 kilometres passing through 15 stations, with a total journey time estimated to be 34 minutes.

The average fare per passenger is expected to be $0.40.

Construction will begin in the second half of 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2016.

The mayor of Quito Augusto Barrera says that the metro will allow the city’s barrios (neighbourhoods) to have easier access to public transportation.

New Airport for 2012

The much heralded new international airport for Ecuador’s capital city is due to open in 2012 in what will be a major aviation development not just for Quito, but for the Latin American region as a whole.

Located 25 kms east of Quito, the new airport will make the city an attractive commercial proposition for international airlines looking to expand services into this fast developing country.

The existing airport’s growth potential has been hampered by its altitude and short runway which has meant large aircraft can only take off with 60 per cent of their total capacity.

The new airport will allow aircraft to take off with more than 90 per cent capacity due to the lower altitude (2400 metres above sea level) and the construction of a 4,100m long run-way.

The new airport will open for business by November 2012 and will have a capacity to receive more than four million passengers annually.

City.Mobi

Also in South America today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to Quito.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

Quito.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.