University of Aarhus ECOTOURISM AS A WAY TO PROTECT ...

Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature
The passing ships and the tiny permanent settlement on several islands,
was the beginning of the introduction of alien species as rats, cats, pigs, goats
and other animals highly destructive to the local flora and fauna (Honey, 1999).
Gradually small colonies were established in several islands. Many of the
present-day inhabitants moved to the islands from the Ecuador mainland. During
the last 40 years the population is currently increasing at more than 8% per
annum (Galapagos Conservation Trust, 2002).
a. Charles Darwin Foundation
In 1960 the Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) was set up, as an
international non-profit organization, with the main office in Quito Ecuador and
a research station on Santa Cruz Galapagos. It was set up under auspices of
UNESCO and IUCN (World Conservation Union). The research station acts as a
scientific advisor for the National Park Service. The international CDF and the
Ecuadorian government cooperate with matters such as scientific research,
protection, educational programs at local and national level and breeding of
captive endangered species.
b. Ecotourism
In 1970 the only public transportation to the islands was aboard an
uncomfortable cargo ship coming every three months from the mainland. The
numbers grew after an old US military base on the island Baltra was refurbished
and a commercial air link were established. Gradually a tourism infrastructure
began to be built.
Organized ecotourism began in the late 1960s, when an Ecuadorian and a
New York-based company (Metropolitan tourism and Lindblad Travel)
established two cruise boats (a 12 passengers sailing vessel and a 60 passenger
luxury-liner). Tourism was done in close conjunction with Darwin Research
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