Appendix - Adventure Guide to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands - page 441

Ecotourism in Ecuador

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early 650,000 foreign tourists visit Ecuador every year. Many
are interested in nature and adventure travel in the less-
developed sections of the country. Tourism is currently the fourth-
highest earner of foreign exchange. It will continue to play a promi-
nent and expanding role in Ecuadorian economics, as the top three
earners of foreign currency (petroleum, bananas, and shrimp) either
have limited reserves and/or are subject to fluctuating world-market
prices. The importance of ecotourism as a sustainable-development
tool cannot be overstated, though neither can its potential negative
affects.

The United Nations declared 2002 as the International Year of
Ecotourism (IYE) to highlight its contribution to conserving biologi-
cal diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources, while pro-
moting equitable community development in affected areas.
Although it may at first appear to be lip service by the UnitedNations
in an effort to “green” its image, the proclamation has resulted in
global conferences on ecotourism and development, sharing of ideas
and alliances and actions on many levels.

The History of Ecotourism
Charles Darwin was the catalyst for ecotourism in Ecuador, despite
the fact that he lived well before the buzzword ever existed. After his
visit in 1835, a wave of European tourists, from scientists to nature
enthusiasts, traveled to the Galápagos. The Galápagos Islands Na-
tional Park was officially established in 1959 to promote tourism,
conservation, and biological studies. It put Ecuador on the map as an
adventure-travel destination. By themid 1970s, the discovery of oil in
Ecuador's upper Amazon Basin resulted in new towns and roads be-
ing built. Meanwhile, photographers were already exposing the
beauty of the indigenous Andean people. As a result, many more for-
eigners now visit the mainland of Ecuador than the islands.

Defining Ecotourism
Ecology is the study of the relationship between organisms and their
environment. It is based on the concept of interconnectedness, the in-
terdependence of all things, living and nonliving. The root “eco” stems
from the Greek oiko, meaning home or environment. In its purest
form, ecotourism is a tool that promotes community development, en-
vironmental preservation, education, science, and nature-based