The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association
by Carol Chapman

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The International Galapagos Tour Operators Association (IGTOA), a non-profit organization incorporated in New York, was formed in early 1995, when concerned travel professionals saw a chance to influence policymaking in Ecuador as it relates to the Galapagos Islands. A group of companies, speaking with one voice, has a greater chance of gaining the attention of the Ecuadorian government, than does an individual company speaking out alone. Tourism is the fourth-greatest foreign exchange income generator in this Third World nation, and a substantial portion of that income is generated by the Galapagos Islands, ($60 million, or 60%).

It is the mission of IGTOA to preserve the Galapagos Islands as a unique world heritage that can provide education, adventure, and inspiration to future generations of travelers. We seek the complete and lasting protection of the Galapagos ecosystem and all its endemic species. IGTOA members have a commitment to low-impact nature tourism.

In those early days of IGTOA, the Galapagos inhabitants, in general, had little understanding, or appreciation, of the unique nature of their island home. Their elected Congressman was vociferously, and popularly, urging the construction of new landing strips, the building of casinos, and the welcoming of enormous cruise ships that would disgorge several hundred passengers at one time, into this fragile ecosystem. The lure of 'getting rich quick' was irresistible. This Congressman has since been disgraced by a corruption scandal and is no longer in office.

This scenario was taking place within the Galapagos National Park, (GNP) a supposedly protected area that had been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. In a third world country such as this, resources to protect this national treasure were stretched very thin, and staff morale, consequently, was not high. There was only one (still is) patrol vessel to monitor the vastness of the (then) 70,000 square kilometers of Marine Reserve. The vessel, the Guadalupe River, was frequently out of the water for repairs, and parts had to be ordered from the mainland with an inevitable delay. Since the passage of The New Law for the Galapagos in 1998, the Marine Resources Reserve has been extended to 133,000 square kilometers - and still has only the one patrol boat.

The demand from far eastern markets for sea cucumbers (pepinos) led to massive overfishing of the species, and the Galapagos Marine Reserve, at that time creating a buffer of only 15 miles around the archipelago, acted like a magnet for foreign fishing vessels, including large 'mother ships'. The prices that pepinos fetched (and still do) were sky high, and the local artisanal fishermen wanted to share in the wealth generated by this harvest. In competition for money, things can get nasty. A Galapagos National Park warden was shot in the stomach when he went ashore on an uninhabited island to turn off a group of 20 illegal local fishermen, who had set up camp to dry their harvested pepinos. International calls-for-action to be taken by the Ecuadorian government were met with a hostile reaction from the local populations. Tourists were threatened with being taken hostage, roads were blocked, the offices of the Park and the Charles Darwin Research Station occupied by hostile local fishermen and an emergency situation created. The army was brought in to restore order. An illegal fishing vessel, which had been arrested and confiscated by the GNP, was turned loose by a corrupt judiciary, in return for a bribe from the owners. (For a full history, see www.igtoa.org/meeting99-report.htm#reserve - Lobbying for the Marine Reserve.)

This lure of a quick fortune caused a rush of illegal immigrants from the mainland to these remote islands, which have only basic infrastructure, no fresh water source, and almost no food production capability. Virtually every consumer good in the archipelago must be flown or shipped in, from mainland Ecuador, 600 miles to the east.

Working together with its neighbor, the world-renowned Charles Darwin Research Station, (CDRS) the Galapagos National Park created public television educational programs, to make the local inhabitants more aware of the issues of protection and conservation in the archipelago. International organizations and foreign governments called on the government of Ecuador to establish greater protections for this world treasure, and, little by little, interested parties were brought together, and difficult meetings were held to thrash out the issues and vested interests. Thankfully, in late 1998, a New Law for the Galapagos Islands was ratified by the Ecuadorian government. One important provision extends the Marine Resources Reserve to 40 miles.

As an expression of their commitment to the islands, IGTOA member companies contribute quarterly, from their profits, in proportion to their volume of business, to our Project Funds. We have a Conservation Fund and a Professional Standards Fund.

Since the first disbursements were made, in 1998, we have responded to requests for support from both the GNP and the CDRS. To support the GNP in monitoring illegal fishing activities, IGTOA provided a video camera, together with spare batteries, a title maker, and a global positioning system. The resulting footage is used in court prosecutions of illegal vessels and in the education, by television, of the local island populations.

We supported the GNP in its neutering campaign for domestic dogs and cats, providing funding for the clinical supplies needed. Local veterinarians carried out the surgery. This project will limit the number of feral animals, which prey on the eggs and young of rare endemic species, such as the famous giant tortoises, iguanas, lizards and birds.

We were proud to offer funding support to a new venture for youth in the islands. A mixed gender Scout troop was established, under the auspices of the CDRS, with a major focus on conservation education. These young people are learning to value, and care for, the natural treasure that is their home.

We continue our support of the education of the youth of Ecuador through our scholarship funding, during 1998 and again this year, of a "Becario" student, (Masters Degree level) at the Research Station. Sandra Landazuri is doing much-needed base-line research on giant tortoises, to establish the profile of a 'healthy' tortoise. Unexplained deaths of giant tortoises in recent months have concerned the scientists working at the Station, and Sandra's research will contribute to their understanding of this gentle giant.

We are currently considering requests for support for projects from both the GNP and the CDRS and we will be making donations of funds or equipment to each organization during this year.

In our Professional Standards projects we are working to improve overall health and safety standards for all tourists to the Galapagos, not just the clienteles of our own members.

In April 1999, IGTOA members initiated a meeting in Quito attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism for Ecuador, representatives of the American Embassy, Lloyds of London insurance company, and the Ecuadorian boat owners association (ASOGAL). Our focus was the improvement of boat and water safety standards, particularly as it relates to securing independent evaluations to internationally-recognized standards.

In August 1999, we were gratified to learn that the Ecuadorian government has ratified the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). From July 2000, all boats carrying 16 or more passengers, and the offices of the companies that operate them, must comply with International Safety Management (ISM) standards. These standards apply to personnel and their training, and the establishment of clear lines of command and responsibility in an emergency situation. We continue to work for international inspection standards to be applied to the construction and maintenance of vessels in Ecuador. Potential travelers can rest assured that IGTOA members do their utmost to establish that all vessels used by member companies comply with international standards. The problem lies, rather, with locally-owned island boats.

We are intending to propose a project to the Galapagos National Park that would require all Naturalist Guides in training to complete a Water Safety course, to be taught to US Coastguard standards, which would encompass snorkeling safety, and basic first aid and CPR. We would hope to include already-certified Guides in this training on an in-service basis. IGTOA will fund the development and teaching of this course.

IGTOA is also committed to supporting the local populations in deriving greater benefits from tourism. We believe that they will then seek to preserve their island heritage from further degredation - preserving the goose that lays the golden egg. To forward our purpose, in May 1999, at IGTOA's invitation, the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism (CAPTURGAL) presented a one day Travel Mart, highlighting land-based tourism opportunities, to IGTOA members who were in the islands for their annual meeting.

It is the case, at present, that virtually all the money generated by Galapagos tourism by-passes the local inhabitants. Outward bound (i.e. non Ecuador-based) tour operators, who plan and offer these trips, secure a portion of the cost of a tourist's holiday expenditure, as do the airlines used to transport the visitors internationally to Ecuador. The 'ground operators' (i.e. tour liaison companies based in mainland Ecuador) take a cut, with further monies going to the Ecuadorian airlines that transport visitors to the islands. The final beneficiary is the Ecuadorian government, through its levy of the National Park fee, which is currently $100.00. Under the New Law, 40% of the fee should be returned to the Park, 40% to local municipalities and 20% to other agencies, including the Marine Reserve and mainland national parks. None of the fee goes to the Research Station. At present, the majority of tourists to the islands have no opportunity to spend money in the islands, since virtually all tourists are water based - sleeping and eating on board their yacht, and taking two shore excursions daily to the visitor sites on uninhabited islands. The only opportunity they have to contribute to the islands' economy is when they go ashore on the largest inhabited island to spend a half day at the Charles Darwin Research Station, followed by, if they are lucky, an hour or so to buy a local T-shirt or other memento. Not much income, nor inspiration, for the inhabitants, overall.

We promised CAPTURGAL that we would display on our website a complete list of their members, which features the local hotels, ranging from $3 'pits' to $120 a night accommodations to rival any in the world, along with the local restaurants, Scuba Diving Companies and travel agencies offering day and multi-day boat trips. (www.igtoa.org/tourism.htm) In this way, we hope to make this unique destination available to many, who would not be able to afford, otherwise, the usual vacation package, which currently falls within the 'luxury' category. Educators, students and others from around the world, may come, see and understand the wonders of this Darwinian treasure, at a level of expenditure which they can determine. It is upon education, and attendant understanding, that the future of the Galapagos archipelago depends.

If you are planning a trip to the Galapagos Islands, please consider using a member of IGTOA as your tour operator. That way, you may be sure that you are actively supporting the conservation of this unique destination.

Carol Chapman is the executive secretary of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association and can be reached via email

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