Galapagos tailor made family vacation, hotel based

Planet

The Galápagos Islands were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979 and are also recognised as a Biosphere Reserve and Whale Sanctuary. Tourism activities are regulated to manage visitor access and interactions with the islands' natural environment.

We donate annually to the Galápagos Conservation Trust, and customers are offered a free one-year membership of the Trust. Through its financial support for the Galápagos Conservation Trust, we contribute indirectly to community-related projects. Projects supported by the Trust have included conservation of endangered species, monitoring fish stocks, research into housing development and consideration of future water-resource pressures, with projects involving communities across the Galápagos.

We encourage travelers to reduce waste and resource consumption during their stay. Measures include using refillable water bottles, recycling waste where facilities are available, taking used batteries home for appropriate disposal, conserving water, and reducing electricity consumption by switching off lights and limiting air-conditioning when it is not necessary.

Most cruises use locally owned and operated yachts or ferries.

People

Our hotel-based trips contribute to the local economy through spending on accommodation, food, transport and other services. Guides are local Galápagos residents, providing employment and opportunities to develop skills for work in tourism.

Locally owned hotels are used, helping to direct tourism expenditure towards businesses based on the islands. Breakfast ingredients are sourced from local shops and suppliers, including locally available fish, fruit and coffee where appropriate. Visitors are also encouraged to use local restaurants when meals are not included in the itinerary.