Tourists to the Galapagos Islands will be asked to pay twice as much in entry fees from this year amid concerns that a rise in visitor numbers is putting pressure on the ecologically sensitive destination.
Ecuador’s Ministry of Tourism has announced the new fees, which will take effect on August 1, 2024. The entry fee will go from $100 to $200 for nationals of almost all countries, except for other members of the South American trade bloc Mercosur, which includes Argentina, Brazil, and Peru. Mercosur members will now have to pay $100 per person, up from $50. Children under age two can visit for free, regardless of nationality. This is the first increase in Galapagos entry fees since 1998.
The Galapagos Conservation Trust, a UK-registered charity focused on promoting conservation and sustainability on the islands, has warned of ecological consequences from rising visitor numbers. “Recent years have seen worrying growth in the number of visitors to the Islands, driven by a sharp increase in land-based tourism,” it said on its website.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Meet the vampire flies of the Galápagos IslandsDarwin's famous finches are under threat from these parasitic flies. But new research shows some have a better chance of survival than others.
Read more »
Volcano on island in the Galapagos spews lava into the seaLaura is a science news writer, covering a wide variety of subjects, but she is particularly fascinated by all things aquatic, paleontology, nanotechnology, and exploring how science influences daily life. Laura is a proud former resident of the New Jersey shore, a competitive swimmer, and a fierce defender of the Oxford comma.
Read more »
Darwin's Galapagos island species, protected yet still at riskIndustrial fishing boats hover menacingly on the edges of Ecuador's Galapagos Marine Reserve, where schools of multicolored fish and hammerhead sharks frolic in the protected Pacific waters.
Read more »
From Bali to Jamaica, these islands are Hollywood's favouritesIslands have provided the backdrops for some of the most memorable moments in film and TV history. Live out your big- and small-screen fantasies in these idyllic locations.
Read more »
Europe's historic islands you shouldn't missFrom ancient cultural sites to precious artefacts, Europe’s islands are filled with historical intrigue and fascinating insights into the past.
Read more »
Researchers Hope To Harness Tidal Energy to Power Faroe IslandsThroughout history, the currents in the fjord between two of the islands made travel treacherous. Now, the tides may be changing.
Read more »