Ecuadorian officials have proposed a significant increase in the international visitors fee to the Galápagos islands’ in an effort to reduce the number of visitors to this unique area.
Visitors could end up paying double or even quadruple the current $100 (R1,500) fee, depending on the length of the stay.
The suggestion for the change comes after concerns that too many tourists are entering the area and this is threatening the natural environment and animals.
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‘There are unwanted by-products from the tourist industry, such as contamination from boat paint and engines, oil spills, overused sites, a drain on the fresh water supply, and the introduction of plants and animals from the mainland.’said the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association. ‘All of these must be addressed for tourism to remain a positive force. Tourism also needs to be kept to sustainable levels. This means a limit to the number of tourists, restriction on the type of tourism development, and close monitoring of tourist impacts.’
The Galápagos were among the first 12 places named a UNESCO World Heritage site. Made up of 19 islands, they are called a unique ‘living museum and showcase of evolution’ and are home to unusual animal life like the land iguana, the giant tortoise.
‘The entrance fee has not increased in 20 years, and costs in Galápagos and Ecuador have risen over this time,’ Daniela Tamayo Córdova, of the Galápagos Government Council, told the New York Times. ‘The increased income will be used to improve sustainability, tourist experiences, and conservation and management.’
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