The Evolution of Ecotourism: The Story of the Galapagos Islands and the Special Law of 1998

Abstract

Public policies designed to encourage ecotourism in the Galapagos Islands have evolved in the decades since the islands became center stage in the international dialogue about environmental conservation. One of the most important pieces of legislation that regulates how the islands’ governments should balance economic development and environmental preservation is the Special Law of 1998. This chapter examines the unique historical, political, and economic factors that ultimately shaped the policies included in the Special Law. The authors examine the effectiveness and impacts of the law using the lens of local public and nonprofit leaders who were surveyed about ecotourism regulations in July 2011. The results show that although Galapagos leaders generally supported regulations designed around sustainable development, they were not as uniformly positive about the implementation and effectiveness of the Special Law.