| Abstract: |
This policy brief summarises key findings from the project Hidden Barriers to
Conservation-Addressing Social Acceptability to Enhance Effective Management
in the Galapagos Marine Reserve, conducted by Heriot-Watt University with the
support of The Rufford Foundation, in collaboration with the Charles Darwin
Foundation and the Galapagos National Park Directorate. It discusses tourist
attitudes towards changes in entry fee policies in the Galapagos National
Park. As one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, the Galapagos face
several challenges for its conservation and sustainable development, including
increased anthropogenic pressure due to the rapid growth of tourism. To
address this, entry fees have been adjusted for the first time in 25 years,
with the aim of regulating visitor flow while generating additional resources
for the national park management. Entry fees are a key tool for managing
nature-based tourism, and their adjustment is essential to restoring their
effectiveness. However, little is known about how these changes impact the
tourism sector. By analysing tourist attitudes and perceptions during the fee
increase period, this study provides recommendations to guide future entry fee
adjustments and the allocation of additional funds collected. Ultimately,
these recommendations aim to facilitate an effective and timely implementation
of entry fee policies, supporting both the conservation of biodiversity and
the sustainable management of the Galapagos. |