One can easily get caught up in the day-to-day operations of a small travel company, and in so doing, neglect the opportunities to go the extra mile in ensuring that the company itself aligns with its owners’ personal values. At Galapagos Travel, we try to allocate some time, effort and resources to ensure our values are reflected in our operations. Here’s how:

Carbon Emissions Offsets

Climate change is an issue and the travel industry must do its best to address it. At Galapagos Travel, we’ve decided to offset the impact of our carbon emissions (domestic flights & cruise) by purchasing the equivalent amount of carbon credits. These funds are used to support projects designed to eliminate climate pollution and to catalyse access to clean energy while encouraging thriving natural ecosystems, better health, gender equality, and economic opportunity for communities the world over. For every trip booked with Galapagos Travel we make a contribution to Gold Standard-certified carbon offset projects. To learn more about the importance of carbon offsets and how they work please read our carbon offset information sheet. Learn more about the Gold Standard here.

US$200,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance

Our guests’ safety and sense of security is important to us. In this regard, Galapagos Travel guests are covered by a complimentary US$200,000 emergency medical evacuation (EME) insurance. It’s the least we can do to give you peace of mind while spending time in a remote destination. EME insurance is designed to cover the costs of taking you to the nearest medical facility considered capable of addressing an emergency medical situation. It also covers some basic medical costs (please note, EME does not replace Emergency Medical Insurance - which covers the costs of medical care when a medical emergency arises).

Rigorously Regulated Business Practices

As an Ontario-based travel company registered under the Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO), Galapagos Travel is required by legislation and regulation to manage its accounts following strict rules, keeping all guest payments in a trust account, and disbursing them only in accordance with the services provided to you.  We are required to make our books available to TICO on demand.  Similarly, Galpagos Travel is required to provide full transparency in pricing.  Few jurisdictions in the Americas (North or South) subject travel companies to such stringent regulatory oversight.

Traveller Compensation Fund

Anyone (from anywhere) booking through Galapagos Travel is elegible for financial compensation under the terms of the TICO Compensation Fund.  The Fund reimburses travelers when travel services are not provided due to our bankruptcy (we certainly don't expect that to happen) or that of an end supplier airline or cruise line - where a reimbursement has not otherwise been provided.

Our TICO registrant number is 50022618 - look us up.

Giving Back

Since 2000, we’ve been organizing non-profit fund-raising cruises in support of worthy initiatives. Past cruises have raised funds for United World Colleges (4 cruises) and underprivileged urban youth (2 cruises).  We helped raise funds for the Galapagos Public Library and donated berths for fundraising purposes, once for the Boston National Public Radio annual fundraising event and again for the Montana Natural History Center. On occasion, we invite deserving local youths on a cruise when we have a suitable availability.  In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, with the help of past (and future guests), we raised over US$54,000 - all of which was deposited in equal shares directly into the bank accounts of crew, guides and office staff of one the ships we use regularly - helping put food on the table for several months. 

If you’d like to talk to us about a fund-raising intiative, do not hesitate to do so.

Supporting Local Sustainable Development / Conservation Initiatives

Galapagos Travel is a member of the International Galapagos Tour Operators’ Association (IGTOA). Beyond our annual dues, IGTOA members contribute $25 for each guests booked on a Galapagos cruise. Funds so gathered by IGTOA (approximately $100,000 - $150,000 / year) are allocated to a variety of environmental education, conservation and other such projects designed and led by Galapagos community groups.