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22 August 2012

Vaya Adventures Offers Responsible Galapagos Cruises

By Harriett Simington


Vaya Adventures can take place in different parts of the world but Galapagos cruises are quite unique. This archipelago has appeal for a wide variety of people from artists, ecologists, literature and anthropology. The appeal is derived from a natural interest in our own origins.

Such a wide appeal means that mass tourism becomes a possibility. This means that there are both threats and opportunities facing tour operators and also the government of Ecuador within whose territory the archipelago falls. Threats to the unique life forms on the islands have to be weighed against opportunities to make money by opening businesses and building structures to support them.

This scenario is typical of sustainable development. The phrase has all the puzzlement of a rhetorical device because the adjective and the noun pull in opposite directions. 'Sustainable' implies continuation but 'development' alludes to a process that has clearly become unsustainable. The realization has dawned in recent decades that the Earth cannot support much more human and economic growth as we know it.

The terms, Charles Darwin and Galapagos islands have become synonymous and widely publicized. This is the reason for the popularity of the islands. Actually the voyage of the Beagle upon which the great naturalist gathered evidence took in many parts of the world and Darwin may have spent only about twenty days actually walking about the islands. Nevertheless his theories were well publicized and that accounts for the international popularity of a place that could easily be tramped flat by the feet of tourists.

When life forms have to be sustained in their natural state managers must be sensitive and responsible. Human interference in natural rhythms often leads to upset balances. The balance of nature, once upset is almost impossible to restore. That is why operators who work in ecologically sensitive areas need to be both well informed and responsible. Firms like Vaya Adventures understand this and are willing to work within constraints.

Unrestrained mass tourism would have a deleterious effect on the delicate balance of nature that sustains tourism in the first place. A few dodos would attract many people but no dodos attract no one. The delicate ecological balance on the specific islands must be preserved and the only way that this can be done is by restricting the masses of human beings who would pay to see it. For the business person that means ingenuity in the maximization of profit.

The need for restraint can be met in part by using many small boats to undertake adventure tours rather than large ocean liners packed with people who may have only a passing interest in theories about their own origins. There are surfing opportunities on the islands and many people may be interested in only the thrills of their sport, so there is also the need for sensitivity regarding the marine reserve areas around the islands.

Vaya Adventures to the Galapagos islands will involve qualified guides, on board meals and opportunities to visit other interesting sites such as Amazon, Andes, or Machu Picchu. This will reduce the time spent on land whilst actually enhancing the adventure elements of a tour. However, the adventures do not only involve seeing new places but also reflecting on their significance. They are adventures of the body and mind.




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