Galápagos was declared a protected area (1959), as well as a cultural heritage site (1978) and a UNESCO biosphere reserve (1984) due to the uniqueness of the flora and fauna that inhabit the area, and as a source of inspiration for scientific advances. These factors have contributed to an increase in tourism in the region, with a total of 279,277 visitors to the Galápagos Islands in 2024 (a 4% increase compared to 2022). However, the increase in tourism can have negative impacts, such as overexploitation of resources and pollution/degradation of the site of interest (tourist or geological). This study aimed to evaluate the tourist carrying capacity of sites of geological interest (geosites) on Floreana Island (Galápagos) through the analysis of qualitative and quantitative information to propose management strategies in the areas of geotourism, geoconservation, and geoeducation. The methodology includes: i) field visits to collect information on the geosites, ii) calculation of tourist carrying capacity, and iii) development of management strategies for the three proposed areas. In assessing carrying capacity, daily visitor numbers ranging from 181 to 1,406 were identified, with Basaltic Black Beach standing out, as well as the volcanic spring "Asilo de la Paz”, the island's only source of fresh water. This analysis enabled the formulation of strategies aimed at promoting the use of geosites based on the pillars of geotourism, geoeducation, and geoconservation.
Geosites are sites of scientific interest because of their geology and geomorphology. They serve as a
source for research in conservation, education, and tourism development, where fundamental factors in
the cultural relations of the place are involved [
Geotourism is a natural form of tourism that promotes tourist access without damaging geodiversity
and encourages geoconservation. Geotourism seeks to develop strategies to increase the number of
people in the tourism sector without involving local ethnic groups. These strategies can be developed
based on quantitative data related to the maximum tourist load [
Tourism plays a crucial role in island development, as it has a socioeconomic impact on the community
and geological sites with tourism potential [
Although geotourism has become popular and contributes to environmental and community
sustainability through geoconservation eforts, if left uncontrolled, it can harm the area. An excessive increase
in the number of people in an area can cause environmental damage, such as the deterioration of the
geological layers of the site and loss of vegetation. In the social sphere, the ethnic groups present in
that area can be overwhelmed by a high number of people. Sites such as Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat in
Indonesia, which has several geosites, limit the number of people to 108 per day in one of them (Bloyot
Cave). This calculation was made using the tourist carrying capacity, and therefore its importance [
Ecuador ranks 17th globally in terms of biodiversity, boasting a wide variety of ecosystems and
species. Protected areas have been established in specific zones, such as national parks and geological
reserves (geoparks), to preserve biodiversity and geodiversity within the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) [
Floreana Island (also known as Santa María Island), located in the south of the Galápagos, has an area
of 173 km2 and a maximum altitude of 640 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) (Figure 1). It originated from
a volcanic eruption more than 2 million years ago and is considered the first island in the Galapagos to
be colonized [
Although studies on tourist carrying capacity have been conducted on the larger islands of the
Galapagos Archipelago (e.g. Santa Cruz [
This raises the following question: What is the tourist carrying capacity of the geological sites of interest (geosites) on Floreana Island, considering the fragility of its volcanic geosites and associated biodiversity, and how can this assessment contribute to the sustainable management of the island’s geological and cultural heritage? Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the tourist carrying capacity of Floreana Island, integrating geological, social, and physical criteria to propose sustainable management strategies that balance the conservation of natural and geocultural heritage.
The search for strategies to obtain the tourist carrying capacity (TCC) of geological sites is vital to understanding how the flow of people to a geosite is managed in a study area. This study analysed sites of geological interest (SGI) to contribute to tourism by applying TCC and its derivatives. This study also emphasises the cultural importance of Floreana Island using sustainable strategies. The present research was developed in three phases (Figure 2): (i) field observation and analysis of collected information; (ii) calculation of tourist carrying capacity; and (iii) proposal of sustainable development strategies.
This phase is based on two main parts. The first is the collection of information outside the field, where preliminary information is obtained about the study area (Floreana Island), such as iconic sites, attractions for tourism, and the island’s geology. After identifying this area, the SGI was analysed as the point of analysis for the article. Information is analysed and gathered, and research is conducted on the number of tourists visiting the sites in the study area. The second part focuses on the field, where ifeld researchers visit these sites.
A methodology was applied to obtain the tourist carrying capacity of people present in an SGI. The
assessment consists of three types: physical carrying capacity (PCC), actual carrying capacity (RCC),
and efective carrying capacity (ECC) [
The results of Phases I and II provided a diagnosis of the current state of each geosite, assessing the
efects of tourism and other human activities on it. Based on this analysis, the aim is to propose
strategies that promote sustainable tourism of geosites and facilitate orderly geotourism development
on Floreana Island. To this end, the application of the Strengths, Opportunities, Weaknesses, and Threats
(SWOT) matrix and the modified 4G model allows for the structuring of strategies in three fundamental
areas of sustainable tourism: geotourism, geoeducation, and geoconservation, and geocommunication
[
The inventory of geosites forms the basis for geotourism management and planning, as it allows for
the identification, classification, and description of areas of geological interest with tourism, education,
and conservation potential [
Formation of lava tunnels, caves, and fresh- It was a refuge for pirates and settlers, inwater springs on the eroded slopes of the cluding the Wittmer family, pioneers in the shield volcano. Geological hiking, obser- Galapagos. The site is associated with the vation of volcanic formations, and interior history of human survival and adaptation landscapes are also included. to a hostile volcanic environment.
A network of cracks, tunnels, and lava cavTrail of Caves, Mag- ities is formed by the cooling and fracturmatics, and Legends ing of lava flows. Geological exploration, “Upper Part” adventure trails, and mystery tourism are also popular.
Associated with the enigmatic story of Baroness Eloise Wagner de Bousquet in the 1930s, the protagonist of the “mysteries of Floreana.” The place reinforces the cultural appeal linked to legends, colonisation, and disappearances on the islands. geological interest. numbers). and older adults).
Tourist carrying capacity is a widely used tool in tourism management, as it determines the maximum number of visitors that a site can sustainably receive without compromising its integrity or causing its degradation. Table 3 presents estimate of the number of people per day who can access sites of
The Black Basalt Beach recorded the highest physical carrying capacity (PCC) of 4,430 visitors/day; however, when correction factors were considered, this was reduced to an efective carrying capacity (ECC) of 1,406 visitors/day. This decrease is mainly explained by environmental variables such as precipitation and solar radiation (as it is an outdoor geosite, adverse weather conditions reduce tourist
Geosites such as Volcanic Waterhole “Asilo de la Paz” and Trail of Caves, Magmatics, and Legends “Upper Part” have areas that are conducive to tourism. However, specific sectors have slopes between 10% and 20%, as well as sections with limited access for vulnerable groups (people with reduced mobility
• Design of integrated thematic routes: Map priority geosites by developing diferentiated routes according to interest (volcanic geology, marine fauna, and historical-cultural heritage) and
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establish time limits and daily visitor limits per route.
Geoconservation • Workshops and educational programs for visitors and the community: Organise workshops on geosite and biodiversity conservation during visits by coordinating educational programs with local schools and tour operators to promote community participation and environmental education in geotourism. • Load capacity control and impact management: Minimise the impact of tourism on fragile geosites and biodiversity by implementing periodic monitoring of erosion, waste, and alterations to the environment to conserve ecosystems and prevent irreversible deterioration of the environment.
This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of the tourist carrying capacity (TCC) at four geosites on Floreana Island (Galápagos). The results obtained constitute a key tool for the sustainable management of these areas, providing guidelines that promote conservation and ensure the optimal use of geotourism attractions.
Black Basalt Beach had the highest efective carrying capacity (ECC), reaching 1,406 visitors per day. Other geosites, such as Trail of Caves, Magmatics, and Legends “Upper Part” (595), Floreana Lobería Basaltic Cove (260), and the Volcanic Waterhole “Asilo de la Paz” (181), have the potential for increased visitor numbers. However, their ECC is reduced by factors associated with climate, accessibility, and limited availability of tour guides.
This study proposes an integrated 4G model (geotourism, geoconservation, geoeducation, and geocommunication) as a tool for sustainable development and management of geosites. The relevance of this approach lies in its holistic vision, which links tourist appeal to environmental and cultural preservation. The geotourism axis highlights the need to design integrated thematic routes with an inventory of new geosites beyond the four evaluated. The geoconservation axis emphasises load capacity control and impact management, whereas the geocommunication axis indicates the need for training and strengthening of the local community. Finally, the geo-education axis underscores the role of education and communication between local populations, visitors, and authorities as key tools for promoting sustainable geotourism practices.
This work was supported by the research project “Registro de sitios de interés geológicos del Ecuador para estrategias de desarrollo sostenible” (CIPAT-004-2024) of the ESPOL Polytechnic University.
The authors have not employed any Generative AI tools.