Galakiwi Becomes the First TourCert Certified Company Based in the Galápagos

We’re proud to share an important milestone for Galakiwi. As of January 22, 2026, we are the first company based in the Galápagos to receive the TourCert Sustainability Certification.

This certification is the result of a long, detailed, and honest process that began in mid-2025. It required us to take a deep look at how we operate: how decisions are made, how impacts are measured, and how sustainability is embedded across every part of our work.

It was not a short or simple process, but every step reinforced why we do what we do. The time, care, and intention invested along the way translate directly into a positive impact on the local community, on tourism in the Galápagos, and on the experience of every Galakiwi adventurer.

More Than a Label: A Year-Long Process of Evaluation

Achieving TourCert certification is not about ticking boxes. It involves a thorough review of how we perform environmentally, socially, and economically.

Our environmental and social impact was carefully assessed, helping us understand both our strengths and the areas where we can continue to improve. The review also examined our supply chains and partnerships, ensuring that responsibility and transparency extend beyond our own operations. Through this process, clear opportunities for improvement emerged, helping shape our path forward.

This evaluation was designed to be rigorous and meaningful. It relied on openness, collaboration, and an honest examination of both what we do and how we do it.

What TourCert Certification Really Means

TourCert is an internationally recognized sustainability certification designed specifically for tourism companies. It supports businesses in embedding responsible practices into daily operations, resource management, and engagement with local communities.

Rather than simply awarding a label, TourCert offers a structured framework that includes training, self-assessment, and ongoing evaluation based on internationally aligned environmental, social, and economic criteria.

Sustainability as a Way of Operating

For Galakiwi, sustainability has never been a marketing statement. As a locally based company working in one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems, responsible decision-making is inseparable from our everyday operations.

This certification confirms that we are moving in the right direction while also showing us where we can continue to grow. We don’t see sustainability as a final goal, but as an ongoing responsibility carried through every tour we design.

Becoming part of the TourCert community strengthens that commitment by providing structure, benchmarks, and external oversight to ensure our actions remain aligned with our values as we evolve.

A Milestone and a Responsibility

We are incredibly proud of our team for the dedication and consistency required to reach this point, and deeply grateful to everyone who supported us along the way.

With many projects ahead to further support sustainable tourism in the islands, this achievement stands as a cornerstone in aligning our work even more closely with our mission.

Sustainability is not a finish line. It is an ongoing commitment, and this is an important step along that path.