• Executive summary - key points

1. Galapagos at risk
2. Galapagos is undergoing constant change
3. Changing tourism markets
4. Changing tour operators
5. Local benefits
6. Financing in Galapagos
7. Fishing and differences among the Islands
8. New local operators in tourism
9. Impacts of tourism
10. Leadership and governance
11. Subsidies and incentives in Galapagos
12. Conclusion

• References

10．Leadership and governance

　Over the last few years, instability in the national government has generated substantial volatility in the leadership of public institutions in Galapagos. In the absence of effective national and regional leadership, the private sector (local, national, and international) has taken advantage of market opportunities. Tourism has developed in the absence of effective regulation and enforcement and has focused on short-term gains rather than long-term sustainability.

　Interestingly, there has been greater stability at the level of local leadership in the Prefecture, Municipalities, Congress and Military, than in the Galapagos National Park Service, INGALA, and the central government ministries. In this unstable environment, the central government of Ecuador has found it difficult to focus on and work for the best interests of the nation. The Government of Ecuador must play a leadership role in constructing a strategic vision for the future of Galapagos and it must assume responsibility for ensuring its implementation; the presidential declaration on April 10th is a first step in this direction.