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

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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 44
Ecotourism as a sustainable way to protect nature station and the new national Park. During the early 1970 tourism facilities grew. Small boats occasionally carrying tourist on day trips, one luxury hotel, bungalows, floating hotels and restaurants, which were owned by long-term island residents (except from the two boats owned by Metropolitan and Lindblad Travel). Most of the locals lacked the capital, the foreign-language and marketing skills to do business on international scale. After the industry expanded the ownership shifted to international owned companies (Honey, 1999). There has been a tendency, that the tourism has been split in two. The low budget, land-based tourism via on-land hotels and day boats, dominated by Galapagueños and Ecuadorians. They serve primary Ecuadorian tourists. On the other hand is the upmarket luxury tourism via luxury tour boats and floating hotels, which is controlled primary by foreigners and wealthy Ecuadorians. They serve mainly foreigners (Honey, 1999). Since 1979 the number of tourist has increased more than fivefold, and there have been tendencies toward poorly done ecotourism and conventional tourism, as well as uncontrolled immigration and commercial fishing (Honey, 1999). 3.1.4. The National Park The Galapagos National Park (GNP) administration began to function in 1968. It has full legal support of the government. The governmental agency (GNP) is responsible for the management and protection of the national park, which include protection of endangered populations of native animal and plants, eradication and control of introduced species, and management of recreation and tourism by establishing and maintaining nature trails. 45
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