Is tourism to blame for Galapagos Islands' deterioration?

etn/ The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association responds to the World Heritage Sites committee adding the Galapagos Islands to its list of heritage sites that are in danger. While recognizing that the situation is complex, the tour operators group is ultimately saying carefully designed, properly managed nature travel is the best way to preserve the Galapagos Islands.
The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA) has issued a response to the Galapagos Islands being included in the list of World Heritage sites that are in danger. The tour operators group asks, "Is tourism to blame for the fragile ecosystem's deterioration?"

The Galapagos Islands was included in UNESCO's list in June. According the IGTOA, the change in status represents a significant milestone in a downward spiral that it has been reporting for years.

The tourism group has pointed out its record in bringing attention to the dire situation in the Galapagos Islands. In 2004, IGTOA said it contacted the World Heritage committee asking them to investigate what we believed were serious problems facing the islands and marine reserve.

The group again acted in 2005 when it said in its January newsletter: "Slowly but surely, we’re losing the fight to preserve the Galapagos Islands. Yes, tourism is doing fine, and travelers are arriving in record numbers. But look a little deeper; the news is not good. At the peak of their popularity, the Galapagos are in trouble."

It has been claimed in the past that the introduction of invasive species, illegal fishing, inability to apply laws, illegal immigration and population growth are causing the deterioration of the Galapagos Islands. A new threat has been added to the list–tourism.

Of tourism and its impact on the Galapagos Islands, it is the IGTOA's view that "tourism is the engine of change in Galapagos, driving immigration and invasive species, needs to be prefaced with an important point: IGTOA, and most informed observers, believe that carefully designed, properly managed nature travel is the best way to preserve the Galapagos Islands."

The IGTOA said it recognizes that the situation is complex and believes that some of the responses to the Galapagos Islands making the World Heritage list of sites in danger and the subsequent attention it has generated have "considerably distorted the picture."

The IGTOA also said: "Tourism is neither good nor bad. The problem is with runaway, unregulated, unplanned, ineptly administered tourism development. To harness the energy of tourism and direct its potential for conservation, wise policies, clear regulations, and effective enforcement are required.

"Our belief in the potential of tourism, and our view that its management was seriously lacking, prompted the formation of IGTOA twelve years ago. The problems were alarming even then."

July 25, 2007   Posted in: Galapagos Islands