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Receiving an award is always a moving experience. But when that recognition is given alongside the women and men who, day by day, build the present and future of the islands, its meaning becomes even more profound. After all, the Galapagos has a way of turning every achievement into something greater than itself, especially because it’s a place where commitment is measured not in words, but in the lasting impact left on its people and ecosystem.
As part of the 53rd anniversary of Galapagos’ provincialization, the Autonomous Decentralized Municipal Government of Santa Cruz Island recognized Metropolitan Touring for its ongoing, sustainable collaboration with the archipelago and communities. We accept this recognition not as some faraway, isolated company but as a close ally, and even a member of the local community that, for over 70 years, has been present in Galapagos. Throughout these seven decades, we’re honored to be a part of the professional development of its people, continue innovating with sustainable models, and adding value through creativity and excellence.
This recognition also reaffirms why the Galapagos remains one of the world’s most significant regenerative travel destinations, given its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the stakes of responsible tourism are as high as ever.
Being the only private company that was given such a recognition during this event is an immense honor and, at the same time, a responsibility we continue to cultivate with great pride and humility. It validates all of the sustained work we’ve done up until now, together with the Galapagos community, always guided by a shared vision of the future.
An Achievement Shared with the Community
Organized by the Santa Cruz GAD, the celebration was a space full of gratitude and recognition for towards those who drive the islands’ development via various fields: promoters of responsible tourism, defenders of conservation, cultural managers who strengthen identity from childhood, innovative entrepreneurs, social leaders, builders who prioritize infrastructure that’s harmonious with the archipelago’s one-of-a-kind landscapes, and even young people who stand out for their academic commitment.
Amidst such a distinguished group of people, receiving this recognition held special significance. It reflected the genuine bond we’ve built with the community and the value of the projects we develop as active participants in the archipelago’s conservation and sustainable development. It reaffirms that tourism, when managed with purpose, can be a driver of local well-being and a powerful tool for environmental protection. It is, in essence, what the meaning of regenerative travel looks like when it’s been translated from principle into decades of practice.
Pride in Our Actions, Passion in the Desire to Continue
For Metropolitan Touring, this recognition embodies a important conviction: tourism can and, in fact, must be a positive force of change. An activity capable of creating opportunities, strengthening cultural identity, and protecting the natural environments that inspire all of us with wonder.
And Metropolitan Touring’s devotion to regenerative travel is not a recent rebranding or a response to industry trends, either. It is the de facto operating philosophy that has guided our presence in the Galapagos from the very beginning, and it’s what distinguishes us (as one of the most committed regenerative travel companies) from those who treat sustainability as an afterthought. Where others see a destination to be consumed, we see an ecosystem to be protected and supported, a community to be invested in, and a responsibility to be carried across generations.
Beyond the celebration, this distinction invites us to reflect. The true achievement lies not only in the results but in the lasting relationships we build, in the consistency between what we say and what we do, and in understanding that development is even more rewarding when it is shared.
We firmly believe that sustainability is not a goal that’s ”achieved” but a path that’s traveled daily, with conscious decisions and deep respect for every place that welcomes us. This is also the foundation of Carbon Neutral tourism, which entails the understanding that every operational decision, from how we move people to how we manage waste, carries both an environmental price and an environmental contribution. Metropolitan Touring’s commitment to Carbon Neutral travel in the Galapagos is part of this same continuum: not a standalone initiative, but an expression of the same values that earned us this recognition. Ultimately, this wonderful recognition drives us to continue working with the same passion, creativity, and integrity, reminding us that success is also measured by the positive impact we leave on people and the environment.
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to continue being guardians of the majesty of Galapagos, working hand in hand with its community to ensure its natural and cultural wealth endures for future generations.
Over 70 Years Writing History in the Islands
Metropolitan Touring’s relationship with Galapagos did not begin with a contract or a commercial strategy. It began with a conviction: that these incredibly unique islands deserved to be known, respected, and protected. From the first journeys that connected curious travelers with the archipelago’s extraordinary biodiversity, we learned that operating in Galapagos requires much more than tourism efficiency. It demands sensitivity, listening, and a committed presence in the territory.
Ultimately, the Metropolitan Touring Galapagos story is, at its core, one of the most enduring examples of sustainable and regenerative travel in Latin America and possibly even the world. It’s something that’s been built not on a single project or program, but on 70 years of showing up, listening, and choosing the harder, more responsible path at every single turn.
Over these decades, we have seen generations of Galapagueños grow with, and adapt our sustainable models to the islands’ changing needs. In the process, they’ve built bonds that go far beyond the professional level. Each year reinforces our certainty that being in the Galapagos Islands is an incredible privilege that’s honored through responsible work, profound respect, and unwavering loyalty to its people and nature.
