Since 1978, when the Galápagos Islands in Ecuador were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, they have been widely regarded as a must-see destination for nature lovers. However, the growing number of visitors has recently raised concerns about the development of tourism and its social, economic and environmental consequences. The economy of the Galápagos Islands is highly dependent on tourism revenues, and the islands’ future depends heavily on the experiences and perceptions of visitors to the islands. If the general perception of tourists becomes less positive, this may affect their willingness to visit the Galápagos in the future. The tourism dynamic of one of the world's most prestigious destinations is twofold. Visitors to the two main tourism practices of the Galápagos Islands have slightly different experiences when visiting a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the one hand, cruise tourists perceive the Galápagos as a rather pleasant and well-managed destination while land-based visitors appear to appreciate it less. The survey of 660 visitors provides important details on how visitors feel about the Galápagos Islands. This study can therefore support tourism stakeholders in developing a long-term strategy for the sustainable management of this unique destination.
