Sustainable Travel in Ecuador
Sustainable travel is essentially conscious tourism.. It considers the long-term impacts of tourism on the environment and local communities and strives to mitigate any negative impacts outsiders might have on the place they’re visiting. Ideally, tourism should actually benefit the destination in question.
Sustainable practices can be applied by everyone, including the local government and businesses that cater to tourists in a given destination, as well as the tourists themselves. To ensure sustainability, the local government and businesses are responsible for offering sustainable options and infrastructure. They should be prioritizing the environment and local communities as well as their own business. Over the long term, protecting these areas is in the best interest of their own business!
In the following blog we’ll cover ways that you, as a tourist, can be a more sustainable traveler by making simple choices during your travels.
The rise of ecotourism in Ecuador
Ecuador may be the smallest contender to make the list of the top ten most biodiverse countries, but that doesn’t stop it from inspiring and educating when it comes to ecotourism. Ecuadorian tourism entrepreneurs are leading the way regarding sustainable ecotourism, creating the awareness and attracting the financial support necessary to protect the environment around them. Rather than harvesting land, flora and fauna for short-term gain, many are employing sustainable models designed to generate revenue for generations to come.
Sustainable Travel in the Galapagos
In a place that is wild, raw and always lives up to expectations set by film documentaries, the Galapagos National Park is a poster child for high standards of environmental protection. 97% of the volcanic archipelago has been protected since 1968 – people live on the other 3%. And while the number of visitors allowed per yacht tour license hasn’t changed in 25 years, the islands have seen an increase in the standard of service, boat efficiency, rules on marine pollution and the allocation of yachts per location. The National Park Authority identifies variables such as how much wildlife lives on each island and how close they are to pathways in order to determine how many people can be on each given pathway and at what time of day.
The number of visitors to the Galapagos grows every year, and the number of tour licenses (called ‘patents’) issued has increased for day trips due to high demand and the addition of newly built budget hotels. While this region is a sustainable role model for others around the world, there's progress to be made. Visitors often book inexpensive experiences that frequently come at a cost to the environment; doing more research and spending a little more money results in a far better experience and goes a long way in conserving this pristine place.
Awarding-winning catamaran Yacht Anahí is built on a foundation of sustainability and employee empowerment. With a high employee retention in an industry notorious for turnover, this luxury catamaran boasts an exceptionally skilled crew, the most efficient vessel in the National Park (according to the National Park Authority) and a carbon offset program that takes funds from each passengers’ payment and allocates it to a project that removes invasive flora and fauna and plants native trees.
The same Ecuadorian family who runs Yacht Anahí runs Ikala Hotel on Santa Cruz Island; this hotel was the first to set a trend in addressing the ongoing sewage problem by installing a compost system along with green energy, local sourcing and eliminating plastics. Another green hotel outside of the main Puerto Ayora area that's also committed to the environment, reforestation and conservation is Pikaia Lodge. Should you be looking to book day trips, the staff at these resorts will point you in the right direction.
How to select sustainable operators
Sustainable travel can be broken down into a few key elements that all relate back to purpose and picking the right operators is an essential part of shifting tourism development patterns. When choosing a lodge or operator, pay attention to the connection between their values of community, culture and environment. The profits and benefits should go to the local communities, not corporations or chains. The environment should be protected and utilized as an educational asset, creating awareness and demand to keep it intact. And in Ecuador in particular, local indigenous culture should honored and preserved through realistic and stable employment opportunities. If these three attributes align, you’ll have a purpose-driven, sustainable adventure to remember.
Interested to learn more about sustainable travel. Read “How to Travel More Sustainably in 2020”. Conde Nast article.