Galápagos faces increasing tourism pressures that threaten its unique ecosystems. This report reviews seven international case studies to identify effective visitor-management tools—such as quotas, zoning, monitoring, and community engagement—and evaluates their relevance for Galápagos.

The Galapagos Coral Conservation and
Management Plan (GCCMP) is the outcome
of a participatory and collaborative process
involving key stakeholders, including scientists,
conservation experts, and representatives
from governmental and non-governmental
organizations. The process of building this
document included different phases: a review of
available literature, preliminary meetings among
organizing committee members, and a workshop
held in February 2023 in Puerto Ayora.

The primary objective of the GCCMP is to
promote the protection, recovery and persistence
of corals in the Galapagos Archipelago, through
the implementation of the management plan
by 2030 that will articulate lasting research
and prioritized management actions. This plan
recognizes the crucial importance of corals for
marine ecosystems, coastal protection, tourism,
fisheries and scientific research in Galapagos.