Biodiversity as a Tool to break the Dependence

Biodiversity as a Tool to Break the Dependence:

The Case For Galapagos Tourism

Harvard UniversityApril 21, 2014

Galapagos Tourism Today at a Glance

• With 95% of its original biodiversity intact, Galapagos is still the best preserved tropical archipelago in the world • 204,000 tourists in 2013• 97% of the 3,000 square mile land mass is National

Park and, in general, only accessible by vessels• Galapagos Tourism is valued at $416MM (Taylor, 2006)

• $63MM remains in the Islands

Brief History of Galapagos Tourism Development

• Developed between 1950-1960 as a sustainable economic model for island residents• “Floating hotel” model of tourism was deemed

the most practical and ecologically sensitive mode of tourism (also most expensive) • 1980 – 12,000 tourists• 2013 – 204,000 tourists

Unintended Consequences: Social Impact

• Model focused on visitor sites, not engagement of local residents• Rise in resident population • 1980 – 5,000• 2013 – 30,000

• Increase in conflicts (social, economic, educational)• 53% of population live in poverty or extreme

poverty (UBNI) (3rd lowest level of poverty in the nation)

Unintended Consequences: Alternative Models & Changing Visitor Profiles

• Rapid growth in land tourism (73% or 53,000) of national tourists seek short, land-based tourism• Rapid growth in “grey market” (unregulated

hotels, tours)• Changing visitor profiles• Less interested in conservation and more in

tourism amenities

Predictive Model of Changes in Markets

Plog, 2001

Future of Galapagos Tourism: Sustainable Communities

CHALLENGE PROGRESSInvasive species GBA, FEIG, CDF, GNPIllegal fisheries SVMS, GNP, Other NGOsControl of immigration and residency

Special Law for Galapagos

Improved education Education reform, SENESCYTGreater efficiency in governance and regional planning

CGG, Grupo Nucleo

UNESCO Mission Report, 2007

Future of Galapagos Tourism: Getting Back on Track

• Charter for Galapagos Ecotourism (2010 – CDF, WWF, GNP)*• Maximize participation and equitable distribution of benefits to

local populations• Environmental conservation• Shared responsibility (operators, tourists, local community)

• Implementation of the model – Experimental Ecotourism Projects*• Two new sites (Floreana, Isabela)

Next steps• Use data from tourism surveys (T0, GNP, CGG)• Monitor the implementation of Strategic Tourism Plans for each

canton• Strengthen institutions that coordinate tourism

*Has not been approved by the CGG

Future of Galapagos Tourism: Other Relevant Models

Restricted High-End Tourism• Deliberate choice to limit growth, but no official limit

on number of tourists• 116,000 tourists (2012)• $200-$250 per day, per person government-required

minimum• No independent travelers • Small groups are encouraged• Second-largest revenue generator (after hydropower)