Tourism in the Galapagos Islands is approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2022, the archipelago received 267,687 visitors, which represents a growth of 96.34% compared to 2021. This implies 136,336 more tourists than in that year compared.
Although the scenario between last year and 2021 presents significant growth, the tourism sector has the figures reached in 2019, before the pandemic, as a thermometer to measure recovery.
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Thus, comparing 2022 with 2019, the number of visitors is barely 1.3% lower, that is, a difference of 3,551 tourists than in the pre-pandemic year.
Hence, the sector sees the closing of 2022 as a good sign that it is entering levels that were before COVID-19 disrupted visitor flows.
“The absolute numbers are encouraging and show a recovery in the tourist flow, especially from the national market, which has been the protagonist, increasing its visits to the archipelago more than in 2019, although its spending capacity and length of stay is still less than that of foreign tourists” said Andrés Ordóñez, director of the Galapagos Chamber of Tourism.
Of all the months, August was the one that reported the most visitors (27,714) and June had the steepest drop in visitors of the year, especially from the national market due to the 17-day national strike.
The arrival of foreigners has gradually recovered. Last year 145,337 arrived, a figure higher than the 54,245 of the previous year.
︎North America is the leading issuer, since a significant percentage of the foreigners who arrived on the islands came from there. Europeans have been arriving more slowly.
“North America remains a key issuing market for sustainability, the rise of international markets such as Europe is expected, which still shows a slow takeoff and significant interest in traveling to the country,” said Ordóñez.
The first direct flight between Manta and the Galapagos is expected by the end of January
During the pandemic, national tourists have been part of the support of this reactivation. Last year the flow of local visitors was constant and sustained.
︎Its participation stands out, achieving more visitors in every month of 2022 than in 2019. This segment reached 46% of the total visitors in 2022.
︎In February, March, August and September it achieves more presence than the foreign market, coinciding with the holiday season in the Coast and Sierra, respectively.
In economic terms, the tourism sector hopes that 2023 will be the year of relief to recover losses and pay debts for the 18-month pandemic.
The rebound from 2021 to 2022 (growth of 96.34%) is important and denotes interest from travelers to visit the islands, businessmen believe.
To continue on the path of recovery, the sector considers that the international promotion of the country and strengthening the quality of the offer will be important.
“Optimism is maintained for this year and, at the same time, caution is expected that events such as national strikes do not happen again, since their effect is very detrimental to the mobility of travelers and residents, as well as to the supply of the province,” said Ordóñez.
Likewise, the trade union leader believes that the geopolitical panorama will play an important role for the performance of European issuing markets, mainly. (YO)
Source: Eluniverso
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