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A United Nations delegation visited the islands to determine
whether the World Heritage site should be declared 'in danger.'
The mission's findings will be examined at a special meeting
by an intergovernmental committee.
In April Ecuador declared the Galapagos
Islands are at risk and warned that visitor permits and
flights to the islands could be suspended. A growing population,
illegal fishing of sharks and sea
cucumbers have taken their toll. The United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
cites the 'uncontrolled' expansion of the tourism industry as
one of the main threats facing the archipelago.
SURVEY
The survey
asks travelers whether they have visited this park and whether
the news affects travel-making decisions. Results will be published
on Planeta.com.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS
Preliminary
results
Have you traveled to the Galapagos Islands?
No 28.6%
Yes, in the past year 57.1%
Yes, it's been more than a year since my trip 14.3%
Complete the following sentence: The recent news about
problems in the Galapagos ...
encourages me to visit the Galapagos 42.9%
encourages me to delay or cancel a visit until matters are resolved
57.1%
Rate the types of information you use (1 being the
least, 5 being the most) in making a decision to travel abroad
Web 4.43
Radio 2.00
TV 2.50
Newspapers 2.40
Magazines 3.57
Guidebooks 3.50
Friends and Family 3.50
Any other comments?
I understand the problems being faced throughout the developing
and non-industrialized world as a result of excessive tourism
and careless or indifferent tourists, and I strongly support
the rights of the affected governments and indigenous populations
to take any and all steps necessary to protect their natural
resources and their ways of life. Thu, 6/7/07
I think because of the ecological impact, the islands should
be closed to tourists. Thu, 6/7/07
I currently have a trip to the Galapagos booked for this coming
September. I am very saddened by the problems this area is experiencing;
however, I am not surprised. Humans basically destroy everything
they touch sooner or later. One of the reasons my husband and
I decided to go there now is because we assume it won't be there
in the years to come. Although I personally want to see it,
I think it would be for the best if they did minimize tourism
or suspend tourism. I also think there should be steps taken
to address the other issues such as illegal immigrants, poaching,
and introduction of non-native animals. Mon, 6/4/07
I have visited yearly since 2002, visiting friends there and
doing some limited "sightseeing". If travel is restricted,
it would seriously limit ny ability to continue visiting friends.
As it is, the cost of airfare and the entrance fee to the National
Park limits the number of visits Ic an make. Why not tax the
tour operators which if passed on to tourists, would limit the
numbers. Also limit the size of the vessels allowed in PArk
waters. Sun, 6/3/07
Travelers really need to be asking tour operators more discerning
questions. What percentage of their crew and supplies are source
from Galapagos? (most are imported from mainland adding to immigration
problems. What are they doing to support invasive species controls?
- airlines do not implement legally required spraying of aircraft
on arrival; What do they do to financially support the Park
Service (there is widespread resistance by boat operators to
establishing concession and entrance fees which allow the park
adequate revenue for covering tourism management in the park.
GNPS tourism management capacity is very inadequate). Sat, 6/2/07
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