Tour operators are being given until February 1 to adapt their Galapagos programmes to new rules and regulations.
From that date, cruise routes and frequencies to and around the Ecuadorian islands are being changed to protect the local animal and plant life.
The new regulations will allow guests of the on-site tour operators to stay a maximum of four nights and five days per ship, with a frequency of four landings within any 14-day period.
For the past 14 years, the archipelago’s 150,000 annual visitors have been mainly concentrated on the three islands of Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal.
Under the new system, the ports on Santa Fe and Tagus Cove will again be accessible and the islands of Española, Genovesa and Fernandina will also now permit the arrival of smaller boats.
The Galapagos National Park said this redistribution of visitors will reduce fuel consumption and the overall amount of pollution emitted by the yachts, boats and ships working the islands.
by Bev Fearis
