Insider's Galapagos Joins the whl.travel Network of Sustainable Travel Operators

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 9, 2011 - Quito, Ecuador  -- The most recent Ecuadorian company to join the whl.travel network, Yacu Amu Experiences, is eager to spread the word about these constantly evolving islands through it's Insider's Galapagos brand. “We are very excited to be partnering with whl.travel to connect small hotels and tour operators in the Galapagos Islands with independent travelers. This new project supports our strong belief that small, owner-operated tourism businesses are the basis of a sustainable economy in the islands. Tourism provides residents with a viable alternative to extractive activities such as large-scale commercial fishing that negatively impact the unique ecosystems of Galapagos.”

One of the programs to be featured on the new site is Yacu Amu Experiences' unique Insider’s Galapagos tour which offers travelers the opportunity to experience life in the archipelago through the eyes of the people that live there. Participants mix socially with the locals, come close to the famously tame exotic wildlife, and learn about the complex issues facing this unique area which is mostly contained within the Galapagos Islands National park.

No place on earth can compare with the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador. Their place in history is secure by virtue of the revolutionary thoughts that were cultivated during a trip there by Charles Darwin as a naturalist on the HMS Beagle. He famously formulated the theory of evolution by natural selection while visiting the archipelago, his thought processes said to have been sparked by the incredible diversity of life surrounding him. The picturesque beauty of the islands’ rare flora and fauna continue to bring inspiration to travellers that follow in his footsteps and to the lucky residents, both human and nonhuman, that call this paradise home.

The Galapagos Islands are unusual for many reasons, including that, in reality, there are no ‘indigenous’ people. The current human occupants are a conglomeration of nationalities that have come together and begun the process of creating – or evolving – a group identity. As mainland Ecuador is nearly 1000 kilometres away, the tourism industry stakeholders – whether accommodation or tour operators – therefore place an emphasis, almost by necessity, on all things local. One example is the Hostel Casa Blanca, an establishment privately run by Jacqueline Vasquez and her two daughters, who also operate a small art gallery that features the work of local artists. In all undertakings the family strives to minimise its impact on the environment by reducing waste and using unwanted materials to make creative arts and crafts.

As a rule, tours of the islands must be accompanied by licensed guides. This is partly to prevent harm to the fragile ecosystem and partly to ensure that visitors get the absolute most out of their time. The highly regarded Gordon Rocks tour, for example, includes a chance to glimpse hammerhead sharks and provides an up-close and personal experience with Galapagos’ marine life. The islands are the perfect place to learn to scuba dive, with many unforgettable treasures lurking beneath the Pacific’s waves.

The Galapagos Islands through www.galapagos-tours.travel is the first whl.travel destination in Ecuador.

Contact;
Steve Nomchong
Yacu Amu Experiences
Foch 746 y Juan Leon Mera, 2nd floor
Quito, Ecuador
+593 2 2904054
steve@yacuamu.com
http://www.galapagos-tours.travel/