摘要
Globally,tourism has been growing annually despite more threats of terrorist acts.In the same way,educational tourism and schools that teach Spanish as a foreign language,which belong to this type of tourism,have benefited to this global phenomenon,at least this trend is noticeable in the Spanish schools that are in Spain.However,there is no academic or governmental study to know if the same has happened with the Spanish schools located in Ecuador,a developing country situated in South America,whose particularity has a dollarized economy.Consequently,the present study aims to analyze the situation of Spanish schools in that country.Method:The study selected was the exploratory due to the lack of information on this topic.In addition,the approach adopted is the qualitative,to be able to have a better understanding of the phenomenon studied,using interviews with semi-structured questions to the eight institutions that make up the Ecuadorian Association of Teaching Spanish Centers.Results and conclusions:Spanish schools in Ecuador have not grown as other countries,because they have several difficulties.First,they have an unfair competition,especially by hostels which provide this service informally.Second,it is due to the higher costs compared to neighboring countries,because Ecuador adopted a strong currency for its economy.Third,idiomatic schools are in the middle of education and tourism,so they have complications in getting licenses and aids granted by the government.Despite these difficulties,they have innovated by offering more services,both educational and touristic,though,it is not a great profitable business.However,they have been able to maintain their business and earn a market share internationally.
