SELECT REGION

CURRENT LOCAL WEATHER

Provided by The Weather Channel

Ecotourism Key to the Restoration of the Galapagos Islands

What makes Galapagos Island cruises such a breathtaking experience is that the islands host an ecosystem that has remained astoundingly intact compared to many other tropical tourist destinations. Nevertheless, significant environmental degradation has occurred in the Galapagos Islands over the last two centuries.

Despite its fragile conditions, the Galapagos Islands continue to be an incredibly popular vacation hot spot, with tourist numbers skyrocketing in the past few centuries. Tourists feel the time and money are well worth the one-of-a-kind experience of Galapagos Island cruises. In fact, the number of tourists has increased from 11,765 in 1979 to as many as 66,000 by recent estimates.

Because the Galapagos Islands are such an incredibly popular tourist destination, and because the numbers have increased so much over the last two centuries, sustainable tourism methods have become a critical component of traveling to the Galapagos. Such efforts help people learn how to responsibly enjoy the great beauty of the Galapagos Islands, and to conduct tourism in a way that helps the Galapagos Islands, not harms them.
Return to Previous Page

Taking Action Through EcoTours That is why Southern Explorations has banded together with other tourist groups to form the International Ecotourism Society. Eco-tourism is a timely and important response to the endangerment of our environment's most precious lands, including the Galapagos Islands.

Southern Explorations takes several tangible steps to protect and steward the beautiful Galapagos Islands for tourists' enjoyment. Done correctly, ecotourism can actually help boost the conditions of endangered areas like the Galapagos Islands, by employing native guides, contributing to the economy of the area, and heightening awareness about how to properly tour this alluring archipelago. When booking Galapagos Island cruises, be sure to look into your travel company's tourism policies, so you can be assured you are touring with the most eco-friendly, educated tour company possible.

Education is the key to ecotourism, so to better understand the current strain on the beautiful and fragile Galapagos Islands, we explore the islands' history to learn about its natural challenges and introduced predators.

Many factors have contributed to the endangered nature of the Galapagos Islands. Historically, the main assault against the world-famous wildlife on the Galapagos Islands was hunting, while the introduction of non-native animals threatened the archipelago's natural ecosystems.

But today, the lovely islands need our help more than ever, to replenish the dwindling population of some of the area's most iconic species and thus restore the authentic Galapagos tour experience.

The Galapagos tortoise, some species of finches, and the Galapagos land iguana, all popularized by famous naturalist Charles Darwin, have had their numbers slashed over the past few centuries, so that sighting one of these Galapagos-synonymous creatures is now more of a rare pleasure than a commonplace experience.

Luckily, protection efforts are underway to restore and preserve the Galapagos Island in a permanent way.

In 1959, the Charles Darwin Research Station began an intensive protection, captive-rearing, and reintroduction program. This project has successfully returned many tortoises to their original islands.

Emergency rescue efforts with other nearly decimated populations, again by the aid of the Charles Darwin Research Foundation, have been relatively successful. Some of the wild dogs, goats, pigs and cats have been eradicated or at least their numbers are under control.

Now it's your chance to do your part. Book one of many Galapagos Island cruises with Southern Explorations, where your tour experience will only enhance the area, not endanger it. Because Southern Exploration employs native guides, takes you to locally run restaurants and hotels, and exposes you to all the most authentic sights of the Galapagos, the tourists on a Southern Exploration trip play an important part in boosting the economy; in return they get the most authentic tour of the Galapagos Islands possible!

Also, Southern Explorations does extensive research in the areas to which it travels, and is in ongoing conversations with the officials of the Galapagos Islands. By booking Galapagos Island cruises with Southern Exploration, you can be assured that your trip will be eco-friendly and educated, and you will be doing your part to preserve the beauty of the Galapagos by adhering to the guide's knowledgeable instructions. This way you will still take a tour of the most amazing wildlife, plants, and scenery the area has to offer, while ensuring that future travelers will be able to do the same!

Environmental awareness and respect are key to restoring the gorgeous Galapagos Island to their original state of abundant wildlife and gently trod pathways. Book a tour with Southern Explorations to responsibly travel this awesome archipelago, and to become part of the all-important ecotourism movement.