Galapagos National Park Shuts Down Construction on Illegal Hotel

January 2, 2012

Galapagos National Park authorities have announced that they have permanently suspended the construction of a hotel in Puerto Ayora on the island of Santa Cruz. Mauricio Ponce, who authorities determined had not obtained the proper environmental license to construct a hotel, was fined US$52,800. He was also ordered to submit a remediation plan and a full emergency assessment of environmental damage and compensation for members of the community who were affected.

Construction began on the building after Ponce received a permit to construct a single family home in the Punta Estrada neighborhood of Puerto Ayora. Controversy soon followed when it became apparent by the size and appearance of the building that it was actually intended to be a hotel and not a house. The building has 26 rooms and the hotel was already being marketing on the Internet as the ‘Palo Santo Spa.’

There are strict regulations governing the construction of new hotels in the Galapagos Islands. The regulations are intended to help protect and preserve the islands’ unique ecosystems and wildlife and minimize the negative impacts of unplanned development on communities. Still, the tourism boom in the islands has enticed some to attempt to circumvent the existing laws. The stringent enforcement of these laws is vital to the long-term health and sustainability of the Galapagos Islands. Illegal hotels pose an unacceptable threat to this priceless world treasure and hurt business owners who play by the rules. IGTOA commends Galapagos National Park authorities for their decisive action in this case. 

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