The Galápagos Islands in Equador are one of the most beautiful place filled with green forests, iconic giant tortoises, crested black iguanas, huge ocean manta rays and a veritable menagerie of other cool creatures.
Now the authorities of Galápagos Islands in Equador are taking a major step in conservation of the green areas.
But in order to protect the flora, fauna and ecosystems of this Pacific archipelago that inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, Ecuador is in the odd position of having to turn away perhaps millions of would-be tourists each year.
Keeping a tight lid on tourism is the way the South American country has preserved this volcanic string of 19 large islands, dozens of islets and rocky outcroppings.
The authorities wage this fight as world tourism grows and grows – it was up seven percent last year – and they must resist the temptation to let in hordes of visitors, their pockets bulging with dollars.
With a network of small hotels and ferries running between the isles- about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) off the coast – Equador is an eco tourism based country that is among the most select spots in all of the Pacific. The flights from Quito or Guayaquil cost about $400 round-trip, and a one week stay ranges from $2,000-7,000 per person.
The flow of the international tourists has risen to 245,000 per year and authorities say that’s pretty much the limit: the maximum the islands can withstand without harming their various ecosystems.
Tags: Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, Equador, national park, Pacific archipelago, south america
