TURNING TRAVEL INTO CONSERVATION FUNDING
THE CHALLENGE
The Galapagos Islands are one of the world’s most unique ecosystems, yet they face increasing pressure from tourism, climate change, and invasive species.
Despite a high-value tourism industry, there is no direct, transparent mechanism linking visitor spending to conservation funding at scale.
OUR SOLUTION
Galapagos Sustainable is a purpose-driven platform that connects tourism directly with conservation by channeling a fixed percentage of each booking into verified conservation projects in the islands.
We are building a transparent marketplace for cruises and island-hopping programs, where every trip contributes to protecting the ecosystems that make the Galapagos extraordinary.
HOW IT WORKS
- Travelers book curated GalApagos experiences (cruises & island-hopping programs)
- A commission (up to 20%) is applied to each booking
- 70% of that commission is allocated directly to conservation projects
- Travelers can choose which initiatives to support, ensuring transparency and engagement
Travelers book curated Galápagos experiences (cruises & island-hopping programs)
A commission (up to 20%) is applied to each booking
70% of that commission is allocated directly to conservation projects
Travelers can choose which initiatives to support, ensuring transparency and engagement
WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT
Direct financial link
between tourism and conservation
Transparent allocation of funds
visible to travelers and partners
Focus on locally registered operators
strengthening local economies
Designed as a scalable funding mechanism,
not just a travel platform
CURRENT STAGE
- Early-stage initiative
- Concept grounded in extensive field experience in the Galapagos
- nitial network of local operators and conservation stakeholders
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
NGO partners
to co-develop and channel conservation funding
Academic partners
to pilot field-based programs linked to impact
Seed funding ($25K–$150K)
to develop and launch the platform
Pablo Palacios H.
Sustainable tourism professional with 15+ years of experience in Ecuador and the Galapagos
- Former leadership roles in the Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism (Galapagos)
- Former Administrator at the Charles Darwin Foundation
- CEO, Southern Expeditions LATAM
To transform tourism into a reliable and scalable source of conservation funding, ensuring that every visit to the Galápagos contributes directly to its long-term protection.