Government reaches agreement for implementation of ‘Guided Tour’ on San Cristóbal Island, Galapagos – La Nación

2024-09-13 06:16:57

The Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, through the Galapagos National Park (PNG), together with the Governing Council of the Galapagos Special Regime (CGREG), signed an agreement with representatives of the transport sector, tourism operating agencies and specialized guides, for the implementation of the “Guided tour” to the “David Rodríguez” Giant Tortoise Breeding Center on San Cristóbal Island.

This achievement is the result of several meetings and working groups in which Arturo Izurieta, Director of PNG; Edwin Altamirano, President of CGREG; Javier Pallo, representative of the Génesis Agency; Iván López, President of ASOGUISANC and delegates from the San Cristóbal Transport Cooperatives participated. Together, they reviewed the proposal for the application of the Ninth General Provision of Resolution 031-2022 of the Galapagos National Park, which establishes:

“For visits to the Fausto Llerena-Ruta de la Tortuga breeding centers, located on Santa Cruz Island; Arnaldo Tupiza, located on Isabela Island; and David Rodríguez, on San Cristóbal Island, with cultural-educational category, and the Las Grietas visitor site on Santa Cruz Island, access will only be with the accompaniment of a specialized Galapagos heritage guide duly accredited by the DPNG. Permanent and temporary residents of the Galapagos province will have free access to these sites.”

Among the agreements reached, which will come into force on July 1 of this year and will be evaluated and socialized after 60 days, the following stand out:

1. The Association of Naturalist Guides will guarantee the permanent presence of two qualified guides from the Galapagos National Park in La Galapaguera, starting on July 1, 2024. These guides will provide free guiding services to visitors who come to this site, through vehicles belonging to the San Cristóbal transport cooperatives for 60 days.
2. Travel agencies will continue to offer guide services in La Galapaguera.
3. The Galapagos National Park and the Galapagos Governing Council will lead a process of co-construction of a participatory management model to ensure compliance with Resolution 031.
4. Work will be done on establishing the Galapagos National Park Reservation System, which will include all operating agencies authorized by the Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and transporters that have a permit to operate commercial and tourist land transport.