There’s a growing awareness amongst travellers that sustainability is important. From reducing waste, offsetting carbon and opting for sustainable consumption, travellers in 2022 are looking for ways to see the world, consciously. In this blog, find out why choosing a sustainable or eco accommodation in the Galapagos Islands is one of the best ways to practice sustainable travel.
Why choose eco-friendly accommodation?
Choosing where you stay on your holiday to the Galapagos Islands has an impact on both the environment and local community. Your consumer dollar can be considered as a vote, and where you choose to spend that money, makes a difference to what kind of place the Galapagos becomes in the future.
It’s as simple as this; opt for a provider which uses your tourist dollar to install solar panels, grow organic vegetables, and implement sophisticated waste systems and you’ll be supporting a healthy Galapagos and sustainable future. On the other hand, choose to pay towards a hotel which offers endless plastic bottles, uses chemical cleaning products and recommends environmentally unfriendly tour companies, and your money contributes towards things that don’t necessarily align with your values.
Therefore, we truly believe that when you visit the Galapagos Islands, you should pay attention to where you stay and thus, what environmental behaviours you support. This is especially true in a place so naturally rich, unique and valuable to the world and its biodiversity.
In this article, we share a number of reasons as to why you should choose sustainable or eco accommodation in the Galapagos Islands.
Reduce your impact on Galapagos wildlife
Staying with the right hotel or accommodation provider can set you up for a less impactful stay on the Galapagos Islands. Those hotels with a genuine care for the wildlife and environment of the islands will help you understand what is positive or negative environmental behaviour and will help you plan your trip accordingly.
At Chez Manany, guests are helped to pick sustainable tour options and to avoid those which might not be as reliable. As a result, your visit can be environmentally positive and you can contribute to the protection of animals.
Keep your waste low
Many sustainable hotels, accommodations and lodges promote a low waste lifestyle and help you to reduce your waste. From water waste, to plastic waste, to food waste, eco hotels will help you to reduce the footprint you leave behind on the islands. Things you might notice at your sustainable accommodation are: reusable soap bottles, water recycling systems, a lack of plastic water bottles, recycling practices and much more.
Reduce your carbon footprint
Whilst you may have flown to your destination in the Galapagos Islands (and hopefully offset your trip!), your accommodation also contributes to your carbon footprint. Choosing a hotel with energy saving policies in place, or those using renewable energy sources can help you to reduce the impact of your travel and encourage change. Remember, if the demand for eco accommodation in the Galapagos increases, so does the number of operators implementing it!
Support local business
Sustainability in travel doesn’t just mean environmental protection. If you stay with a small, eco-friendly business in the Galapagos Islands, you’ll also be contributing to the local economy and the growth of a business doing great things for its destination.
Chez Manany carries out beach clean-ups and is an expert in sustainability within the tourism industry on the Galapagos Islands. The ecolodge works with the Hotelier Association on Isabela Island to help improve the tourism industry for the nature and communities on the island.
Eco accommodation in the Galapagos Islands
Chez Manany Galapagos Ecolodge is a family-owned business led by tourism expert Manany and architect Wilson. The ecolodge is located outside the small town of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island, next to a mangrove area protected by the Ramsar Convention and very close to the lagoon Concha de Perla (a beautiful site for snorkelling in which you can see tropical fish, sea lions, penguins, rays, marine turtles and over 20 different species of birds).
To book your next stay with us, click here.
