Perfiles previos a la pandemia y la imagen construida de los turistas en la isla de Santa Cruz, Galápagos

Andrea Muñoz Barriga; Mateo Ortiz Yepez; Sofía Carolina Aguilar Enríquez

doi:10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.005

Authors

Andrea Muñoz Barriga Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5685-5268
Mateo Ortiz Yepez Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Sofía Carolina Aguilar Enríquez Universidad de Groninga, Países Bajos https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8188-8366

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.005

Keywords:

Ecuador, modes of experience, ecotourism, visitors, survey

Abstract

The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are celebrated for their unique biodiversity and for the vital role they play in the local economy of the various islands, through tourism. Initially, ecotourists, drawn by a deep interest in nature, were the main visitors. However, the rise of mass tourism has shifted the visitor profile over time. We surveyed pre-COVID-19 visitors to the island of Santa Cruz to explore how ecotourism has evolved since its origins in the 1960-70s. Our objectives were to (1) examine the profile, image constructs and kinds of experiences of the visitors and (2) analyse these in the context of early ecotourism. We identified three visitor profiles—high, moderate, and low—in terms of environmental awareness and interest. Our findings highlight that the current tourism on offer caters mainly to those with less interest in nature. These insights are valuable for decision-makers, tour operators and academics aiming to improve management strategies and visitor flows, especially near the urban areas of Santa Cruz.

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Academic society: PASOS. Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural
Publisher: Instituto Universitario de Investigación Social y Turismo. Universidad de La Laguna (España) - Instituto Universitario da Maia ISMAI (Portugal)

Author Biographies

Mateo Ortiz Yepez, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador

Ingeniero en Ecoturismo y Guía Nacional de Turismo, graduado de la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, con más de 7 años de experiencia laboral en Ecuador, Australia y Estados Unidos. Se especializa en interpretación ambiental bilingüe (inglés-español), manejo de grupos, actividades submarinas y fotografía de naturaleza. Ha participado en el estudio sobre los perfiles de los visitantes de la Isla Santa Cruz en Galápagos. Fuera del ámbito laboral, Mateo es apasionado por los viajes y las actividades al aire libre, como el montañismo y el buceo.

Sofía Carolina Aguilar Enríquez, Universidad de Groninga, Países Bajos

Sofía Carolina Aguilar Enríquez es antropóloga con especialización en antropología sociocultural por la Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE). Actualmente estudiante en la Maestría de Investigación en Sostenibilidad en Islas en la Universidad de Groninga, Países Bajos. Trabajó como Asistente de Investigación en el área de Sostenibilidad para la Conservación en la Fundación Charles Darwin en Galápagos en temas de turismo sostenible, género y pesquerías y sistemas agroforestales. Sus intereses de investigación se centran en la conservación, sistemas socioambientales, antropología ecológica, turismo sostenible, pesquerías y la relación del ser humano con el medio ambiente. Ha recibido la beca SENESCYT del gobierno de Ecuador para sus estudios de pregrado en 2017 y la Beca Erasmus Mundus para sus estudios de posgrado en 2024 y fue ganadora de la beca Margaret Mead de la Asociación de Antropología para proyectos de investigación en 2020.

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