IGTOA and Its Member Companies Raise More Than $26,000 to Support Galapagos Guides

Tourism is the driving force behind the economy of the Galapagos Islands and directly and indirectly provides employment for most of the islands' residents. So when the Covid-19 crisis was declared a global pandemic last March and tourism abruptly came to a halt, thousands of Galapagos residents were suddenly out of work, including hundreds of national park guides. 

IGTOA and its member companies know that Galapagos guides are some of the most dedicated and knowledgeable in the world. They take incredible care of each and every one of their guests when they are working. So we wanted to step in and help take care of them during this difficult time. In partnership with the Galapagos Guides Association (AGIPA), we set out to raise $25,000 to provide financial support and aid to guides who have been hit the hardest by the economic fallout from the pandemic. 

In the end, we raised more than $26,000 that was used to provide 195 guides with vouchers for groceries and medicine, food baskets, and direct cash payments. 171 individual donors contributed $15,841 through a GoFundMe campaign and IGTOA contributed an additional $10,000 in matching funds. FUNCAVID donated another $538.

AGIPA sent out surveys to identify where the support was needed most and then distributed the aid directly to the guides and their families. You can read the full report here. IGTOA member companies supported this initiative by making donations directly to the GoFundMe campaign and promoting the fundraiser via social media and email. Thank you to everyone who helped support this important initiative!