An article on the BBC news this morning gave me pause to think. It was regarding the threat of mass tourism to the fragile ecology of the Galapagos Islands (off the coast of Ecuador for the initiated.)

Basically, cruise ships have begun to visit the waters around the islands and those concerned with protecting them are keen to ensure that this doesn’t escalate. They cannot legislate to stop these visits so rely on the ethics of travellers to not stimulate the demand for low-cost tourism to the islands. They are keen that the islands don’t become just another box to tick on the world-travellers itinerary.

Having seen the voracious Japanese tourists devouring Europe under their lens caps and Brit’s gobbling up the med’s sun traps I question if such a ‘caring’ approach can succeed…