The Benefits of Ecotourism in the Galapagos Islands
Galapagos Islands holidays have become incredibly popular amongst tourists in recent years. This comes as no surprise considering the beautiful landscapes and unique wildlife species that call these fascinating islands their home.
However, as one of the most biodiverse places in the world, it is important to be aware of how tourism can affect the landscapes and habitats that have brought the Galapagos Islands a lot of their fame. It’s also beneficial to understand how ecotourism can provide a solution for allowing people to visit the islands without jeopardising the spectacular ecosystems that make this part of the world so special.
Check out this blog post to learn all you need to know about how tourism may impact the Galapagos and how ecotourism provides an opportunity for visitors to experience the islands in a way that is considerate to the environment and the wildlife.
What Makes the Galapagos Islands So Special?
A unique chain of islands off the Ecuadorian coast, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most unique creatures and fascinating landscapes in the world. Picture flawless shorelines, breathtaking volcanic mountains and enchanting overgrown craters surrounded by wild Scalesia trees.
There are nearly 9,000 wildlife species to be found in the Galapagos Islands, from giant tortoises to tiny penguins. The islands are heaving with fascinating and endemic creatures, which is one of the key reasons why there is such a push for ecotourism in the Galapagos Islands.
What is Ecotourism?
More than just touring around captivating landscapes, ecotourism involves travelling around areas of natural beauty in a way that is sustainable and responsible. The concept involves visiting relatively undisturbed or uncontaminated areas while prioritising sustainability, environmental conservation and respecting the local community.
Ecotourism aims to create an opportunity for tourists to visit some of the most incredible places in the world without disturbing the day-to-day lives of locals or natural ecosystems and, instead, travelling in a way that is responsible and respectful to people and the environment.
What Benefits Do Tourists Bring to the Galapagos Islands?
Like everywhere else in the world, tourism is a double-edged sword which does bring some benefits to the Galapagos Islands. First of all, tourists coming to the islands bring financial benefits and in turn, support the archipelago’s economy. Not only do those visiting financially support the islands, but the tourism industry itself creates many jobs for local residents.
As the sector grows, more work opportunities are also likely to appear, which encourages people to stay on the islands as well as prompting others to move over in order to secure work in the industry. As a knock-on effect, the population grows which further aids the economy of the islands by increasing their revenue GDP.
What are the Negative Impacts of Tourism?
Here are some examples of how tourism has had a negative impact on the Galapagos Islands.
Eating On Cruise Ships
When tourism in the Galapagos was a relatively new concept, most tourists visited via cruise ships and opted to stay and eat on the ships instead of on the islands. Whether this was a matter of ease or an active choice, this meant that the provisions on the boat were brought from the mainland of Ecuador, depriving the islands of the financial benefits of catering for tourists that could have boosted the islands’ local economy.
Increased Demand for Catering
While eating on cruise ships isn’t so much of an issue now that the tourism industry on the islands is more established, another issue has arisen. The popularity of the Galapagos Islands as a holiday destination has meant that locals are so overwhelmed by the number of tourists wanting to eat out across the islands that they can’t keep up with demand.
Farmers and fishermen simply cannot supply the amount of food needed to satisfy everyone that is flocking in and as a result, food has to be imported from the mainland in order to meet the demand.
Increased Competition
Tourism in the Galapagos has surged in recent years, with more people wanting to stay on the islands instead of on cruise ships. As a result, competition between businesses offering Galapagos accommodation has massively increased.
Although there is something positive to take from local businesses benefitting from tourists, the hotels on the islands have been forced to reduce their prices and lose out on profit in order to compete with rivals. As a consequence, it is now cheaper than ever to stay in the Galapagos, but the owners of these hotels are really missing out.
Littering
The increased number of people staying on the islands has resulted in a lot more litter being left there. People are abandoning rubbish on the land which can pollute the air, contaminate the soil and the water and kill some of the precious animals who mistake it for food. All of these situations compromise the natural unique environment that prompts tourists to visit the Galapagos Islands in the first place.
Lack of Investment
As the tourism industry in the Galapagos grows, it becomes more and more appealing to big-time investors looking to make their fortunes. They might look to build huge hotels to get in on the lucrative industry, developing massive construction projects and causing areas to become built up. Being a wild paradise, it would be a huge shame for the archipelago to fall victim to over-development and commercialisation.
Although laws prevent National Park areas are protected from this kind of thing, other areas such as Puerto Ayora have seen a surge in the number of cheap hotels, souvenir shops, restaurants and skyscraper buildings.
The Benefits of Ecotourism in the Galapagos Islands
On the flip side of those slightly sobering statements, the realisation of what tourism has done and may continue to do to the Galapagos Islands meant that there has recently been a real drive to promote ecotourism to the archipelago and manage the number of visitors that it receives. Here are some of the benefits that these new ecotourism initiatives are bringing.
Environmental Benefits
What many people don’t realise is the damage that the commercialisation of destinations does to natural environments behind the scenes. The commodification of natural land causes air pollution, deforestation, the extinction of wildlife species and disruption to natural ecosystems, so ecotourism seeks to ensure that any new developments are created in a sustainable way that is relatively harmonious with the environment. This means that the precious balance of the Galapagos habitats is undisturbed and often protected, even if new attractions are built on the islands.
The rarity of many of the species on the Galapagos Islands also means that conservation efforts can be supported by ecotourism, with many travel providers working with projects or channelling some of their profits into preserving the wildlife on the archipelago. Many eco-conscious tours involve a visit to animal sanctuaries or conservation projects so that visitors can learn more about these efforts and help out during their visit.
Economic Benefits
Instead of causing rapid development at the expense of local communities and their way of life, ecotourism aims to raise funds by conserving environments and working with locals to develop sustainable business ventures. In this way, it seeks to promote sustainable development instead of enacting rapid change in a bid to make quick revenue.
Residents and local communities in the Galapagos Islands can then get in on the action and financially benefit from the developments that increased tourism is bringing to the island.
What’s more, successful ecotourism business development provides an incentive for the government, other businesses and charities to invest money into preserving the local environment. For example, the fact that the unique wildlife species on the Galapagos attracts so many tourists prompts organisations to invest money into conservation efforts, protecting creatures and making sure that they thrive and continue to be a key pull for visitors.
Educational Benefits
Ecotourism allows visitors to experience the magnificence of the Galapagos Islands’ natural environment first-hand, coming into contact with extraordinary creatures and appreciating just how special these islands are. By focusing on sustainability and being mindful of your impact as a visitor to a destination, those that come to the Galapagos Islands are educated on the importance of this kind of travel and the conservation efforts taking place on the archipelago.
This education is beneficial because it increases wider awareness of the potential impact of overtourism, the many benefits of ecotourism, and the important work that takes place on the islands to preserve the unique ecosystem.
Managing Ecotourism in Galapagos
The Galapagos National Park has introduced several initiatives to help manage tourism and limit its negative impact on the environment.
Carrying Capacity
Carrying Capacity limits put a cap on the number of visitors permitted to enter a site at any one given time. If tourism seems to be damaging an area, this limit can be altered at the discretion of the National Park Authority.
This rule prevents popular attractions from becoming too busy and jeopardising the environment due to endangering rare plants and animals by destroying the ecosystem.
Boat Route Schedules
Another important ecotourism initiative is planning boat routes around the islands so that no area is overwhelmed with visitors at one time. The national park controls how many cruise boats travel around the islands and their routes to prevent any detriment to the environment, ensuring that resources are managed by knowing how many visitors will be arriving on the islands at any time.
Ecotourism Activities in the Galapagos Islands
There are so many opportunities for creating unforgettable experiences appreciating the incredible landscapes and creatures of the Galapagos Islands without having an impact. Below are some of the best ecotourism-friendly activities available in the Galapagos Islands.
Go Snorkelling or Diving
As one of the top snorkelling and diving spots in the world, you shouldn’t miss out on exploring the incredible marine life around the islands during your stay in the Galapagos archipelago. Expect to spot multi-coloured reef fish, playful dolphins, chilled-out sea turtles and much more during your underwater adventure, all whilst following the guidance of a trained instructor that will ensure your adventure is in a safe and sustainable area.
With so many incredible islands and coastlines to choose from when it comes to underwater exploring, why not get clued up on the best beaches in the Galapagos Islands before you go?
Visit Nature Reserves
Perhaps due to the abundance of fascinating, yet sadly endangered species in the Galapagos, it comes as no surprise that there are several incredible nature reserves to explore. By visiting one of these facilities you will not only be able to get up close and personal with some of nature’s most incredible creatures, but the money that you spend there will go towards their conservation and looking after these animals.
Hiking
The wild, unspoilt landscapes of the Galapagos lend themselves to hiking just perfectly. Take your walking boots across some fascinating terrains and come into contact with many of the islands’ creatures in their natural habitat, following designated trails for a safe and eco-friendly exploration.
Bird Watching
An absolute paradise for bird watchers, the Galapagos Islands are full of incredible winged species You will have the chance to see the smallest penguins in the world, stylish blue-footed boobies, Darwin Finches (named after the islands’ most renowned visitor) and much more.
In order to appreciate the birds of the Galapagos sustainably, we recommend taking part in an organised bird-watching excursion that will also allow you to learn more about the species and their history and habitat from a local guide.
If you’d like to read more about how to spend your time on your trip, check out this post on the best things to do in the Galapagos Islands.
Summary
A truly unspoilt paradise, the Galapagos Islands are amazing places to visit for a holiday. However, being such a unique and special place, it is important to visit in a responsible way that causes the least amount of harm possible to ecosystems, wildlife and the local population.
If you’re planning to go to the Galapagos Islands and are looking for a tour provider that will take you to the most incredible parts of the islands in a sustainable way, get in touch with us at Touring Galapagos or click here to find out more about the cruises and holiday packages we offer.