Responsible Tourism

Responsible tourism is our most important commitment. Throughout our expeditions we strive to inspire and educate, providing a deep understanding of the ecosystems we visit and their conservation value, helping encourage a greater overall environmental awareness. We always travel in small groups both in Galapagos and mainland Ecuador to minimize our impact on the environment.

Below are some of the other ways we strive to minimise the impact of our trips and where possible generate a positive contribution towards protecting the wildlife and wildernesses we visit.

A year's free membership of the Galapagos Conservation Trust

For each guest that travels with us to the Galapagos Islands we will provide a year’s free membership to the Galapagos Conservation Trust (not just tailor made trips) who work with key institutions in the Galapagos to help conserve the ecosystems and biological diversity of the archipelago. http://www.savegalapagos.org

Support for local community

Think Galapagos and many of our guests have become important supporters of the Pan y Miel Foundation (Bread and Honey Foundation) in Quito. 

The project is run by Rosario Luna, the wife of one of Think Galapagos’s bus drivers, and aims to provide schooling and basic care and support for children in a shanty town in the South of Quito. 

Due to a combination of poverty and family situations many of the children the foundation supports would not be able to go to school without Pan y Miel.

Here are some photographs that Santiago took during a recent visit
to the school

 

Galapagos

Given the Galapagos Islands rapidly growing human population we believe the future conservation in the Galapagos Islands depends among other things on the sustainable development of tourism. We use only yachts and services, which are owned and operated by local people from the Galapagos. This helps ensure that the twin benefits of the income and employment generated by tourism is enjoyed by local people, thus creating a viable alternative to fishing and helping the local population develop a true appreciation for the value of the islands and their wildlife.

Carbon Creditation through Rainforest Concern

In a bid to reduce the impact of the emission of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2), we recommend that all of our clients offset the impact of their travel and get carbon credited through Rainforest Concern. The programme helps prevent vulnerable rainforests from being cut and burned as well as helping absorb CO2 from the atmosphere by re-establishing rainforest where it has been destroyed. For a long haul flight Rainforest Concern recommends a donation of £20, and £5 for a short haul flight.

More Information: Click here for our selection of the best Galapagos Small Boat Cruise or join one of our small group expert led Galapagos Wildlife Holiday.

Telephone 01482 872 716 for more information or email us today.