Quito, February 25 (EFE). – The Governing Council of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands has decided to double the entry fee to this archipelago for foreign tourists from $100 to $200, while for nationals it will increase fivefold from $6 to $30.
This was decided by the Galapagos Special Regime Governing Council after a session of its plenary session on Saturday, noting that the entry fee for the conservation of protected areas in the archipelago, which will come into force in six months, has not been collected in the last 26 years changed.
The plenary session of the Galapagos Governing Council consists, among others, of representatives of the central executive branch of Ecuador and the municipalities of the three populated islands of the archipelago (San Cristóbal, Isabela and Santa Cruz).
According to a statement from the Council published this Sunday, the decision to increase the rate is in line with the objectives of “promoting a tourism model in line with the conservation measures already taken, creating benefits for citizens and stabilizing the number of tourists arriving there “. Ecuadorian island province.
According to a report issued by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the conservation of properties included in the World Heritage List, “stabilizing the growth of tourism volumes is a priority in order to maintain the well-being of both “Ecosystem and the inhabitants of Galapagos”.
The aim of the strategy is to “promote sustainability-oriented tourism and boost the local economy thanks to the islands’ unique natural wonders,” explained the government council.
Likewise, he said that they aim to strengthen the management of the archipelago's local governments, organizations responsible for the provision and efficient management of water services, environmental sanitation, waste, tourist facilities and management of urban fauna, among others.
The source stated that when updating the conservation income rate, factors such as “length of stay, age, disability status, tourism model, nationality or legal residence in the country” were taken into account.
He assured that the national government promotes environmental, tourism and economic management focused on promoting development and balance in the islands recognized by UNESCO as Natural Heritage of Humanity (1978) and Biosphere Reserve (1984). .
This archipelago, also called “The Enchanted Islands”, lies about a thousand kilometers west of the continental coast of Ecuador and receives more than 260,000 tourists annually, 54% of them foreigners. EFE
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