As the Galapagos reopens, archipelago finds sustainable tourism is key
The Galapagos reopened July 1 with relaxed travel restrictions, but the archipelago is finding that more sustainable tourism is paramount to the health of its ecosystem.
The archipelago is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet, but tourism has in the past interrupted or complicated its ecosystem, which is famous for supporting Darwin’s theory of natural selection.
A recent study of the island of San Cristobal found plastic in all of its marine habitats, with more than 400 plastic particles found per square meter in the worst polluted areas. Furthermore, the Galapagos National Park and Charles Darwin Foundation are working to reintroduce 13 species of animals that had gone extinct locally.
But tourism had dropped dramatically during the pandemic, and it’s brought about some good news: the animal population is growing. Galapagos penguins and flightless cormorants are two species that have seen significant growth in population last year, due to the lack of tourists disturbing their nesting grounds.
While tourism can impact the environment in detrimental ways, it’s also responsible for 85% of the archipelago’s economy. Between March 2020 and March 2021, the region has estimated a loss of $850 million in revenue, making tourism’s return critical. But it’s about the balance: Travelers need to choose sustainable travel providers and accommodations to reduce their negative impact so the region can be enjoyed by travelers for centuries to come.
As of July 1, travelers can enter the archipelago without a negative PCR test provided they have been fully vaccinated for at least 14 days prior to their trip.