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"Smart Voyagers" Will Have an Eco-Friendly Choice When They Travel to the Galapagos Islands

May 8, 2000

Responding to eco-minded tourists who want to visit the Galapagos Islands without damaging the world-famous park, an Ecuadorian conservation group and the Rainforest Alliance are announcing a program to give a "green seal of approval" to tour boats that tread lightly on the vibrant but fragile ecosystem. The new SmartVoyager certification program will minimize the impact of tour boats in the Galapagos Islands. Each year, 60,000 visitors travel from island to island on specially equipped tour boats, which also serve as floating hotels.

The program was designed by the Corporation for Conservation and Development (CCD), an Ecuadorian nonprofit organization with experience in ecotourism and eco-labels. Working with scientists, conservation experts, tour operators and others, CCD has outlined standards for the maintenance and operation of the tour boats. Tour companies that wish to participate invite a team of specialists aboard their boats to evaluate the vessels according to the guidelines.

The standards cover potential sources of pollution, such as wastewater and fuels, and set rules for the management of everything from the docks to the small craft that ferry visitors ashore. Procurement and supply management guidelines are designed to minimize the chances of introducing alien wildlife species to the area. The standards require good living conditions and advanced training for the boat crew and guides. Passengers must be given maximum opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the islands and close encounters with wildlife while leaving no trace of their visit.

Once the tour operator brings a boat into compliance with the standards, the craft is "certified" and allowed to display the SmartVoyager seal of approval (at left). This seal gives Galapagos visitors the assurance that they are traveling with an operator who cares about the conservation of the islands and has taken every measure to ensure that passengers enjoy a safe, educational and thrilling adventure without harming wildlife or the unique environment. "The yacht operators recognize that their future is tied to the conservation of the islands," says Mauricio Ferro, executive director of CCD. "This program gives the operators and their increasingly savvy passengers a way to help protect the Galapagos." Travelers are encouraged to ask if their tour operator is enrolled in the SmartVoyager program.

The standards were discussed with park officials, guides, scientists and major tour operators such as Canodros S.A. and Galamazonas. A team of specialists tested the standards on the MV Corinthian, a 48-passenger motor yacht belonging to Ecoventura S.A. According to Ecoventura President Santiago Dunn, "We have always tried to be responsible, but this process brings in the best science and the best ideas from many different groups, showing us ways to improve our operations. We hope that all tour companies will join the SmartVoyager initiative."

The Galapagos archipelago, located 960 km (597 m.) west of mainland Ecuador, is a world-renowned biodiversity hotspot and one of the best places on Earth to see evolution in action. The islands enchant visitors with their stark beauty and otherworldly wildlife, including sea lions, seals, blue-footed boobies and the famous giant tortoises.

Tourists contribute millions of dollars to Ecuador's treasury -- a powerful incentive for the government to protect the islands. However, even as tourism has played a leading role in saving the islands, the industry is also a threat. Even though all the islands and the waters around them are a national park, land continues to be cleared for farming and tourism-related development, and the waters are being overfished. Species that had been abundant on the islands, such as giant tortoises, are now endangered due to hunting. The biggest threat is the introduction of exotic species by people, disrupting the delicate web of life on the islands and devastating the defenseless native species and habitats.

The Rainforest Alliance and CCD have previously collaborated on the certification of banana and cocoa farms in Ecuador. The boat certification program is also guided by an advisory committee -- comprised of the Ecuadorian minister of tourism, scientists, park officials and representatives of the tourism industry. According to committee member David Blanton, the president of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, "This project fits perfectly with our own goals of promoting responsible tourism and protecting the Galapagos Islands' fragile ecosystem for future generations of travelers."

On May 22, 2000, the Rainforest Alliance and the Embassy of Ecuador will host a breakfast reception to mark the official launch of the SmartVoyager program. The event will be held at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Washington D.C. For information about attending, please contact Erika Diamond at 212-677-1900, ext. 237, ediamond@ra.org.