Metropolitan Touring Corporate Fact Sheet

Below is a summary of the sustainable efforts by the Metropolitan Touring Company. It is quoted text from a corporate fact sheet sent to us by contact Francisco Dousdebes. It includes information in the group's efforts in the creation of the recycling center on Santa Cruz

A Brief History of ETICA - Metropolitan Touring

ETICA - Metropolitan Touring strives at delivering extraordinary experiences for its guests. In doing so, we use valuable non-renewable resources requiring conscientious usage by applying prevention and action. This guarantees a minimal environmental footprint of the operations we manage. Since 1953 we have developed philosophies and procedures, which overtime have become standards for tour operators. Take the Galápagos example, for instance, where together with the first park wardens of the Galapagos National Park, we developed a system of interpretative trails, and led by trained Naturalists. Shortly, this experiment became an operational standard for all. Parallel to these new ventures, ETICA - Metropolitan Touring designed a floating hotel (flotel) in the headwaters of Ecuador's Amazonia: the Flotel Orellana, an icon in the operation of tourism in Ecuador’s rainforest. Amazonia followed the Galápagos example, and soon became successful too. Ecotourism had officially started in Ecuador.

As new tourism operations developed in Ecuador, and as world travellers became apprehensive about highly-impacted areas, the need of redesigning our philosophies became imminent. Thus, we achieved international certifications for our ships and hotel in the islands and with strict training programs for our staff gained respect and recognition. As early as 1998, we created Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador as our direct way of committing to the islands' protection, but this time involving the private sector. Then, all conservation-related efforts were in the hands of the Charles Darwin Research Station and National Park. Our concern was not just conservation per sé; we had to involve the community in understanding their islands and protecting them too. Additionally, we had to think about environmental impact by both locals and visitors, although there were no efforts in garbage collecting, recycling, etc, and nobody was talking about sustainable tourism or responsible tourism. Our conviction was clear and founded Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador. Its projects and actions are now models in the local industry, and a good number of tour operators have decided to join forces for the islands' well being. ETICA Metropolitan Touring proudly employs nearly 700 people in Ecuador.

ETICA - Metropolitan Touring – a leader in sustainability

ETICA Metropolitan Touring is a fully Ecuadorian company and the leading Travel Corporation in Ecuador, with additional in-bound tourism divisions in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. Our headquarters are based in Quito, Ecuador and operational support offices are found in Guayaquil, Riobamba, Cuenca, Galápagos Islands, Lima, Cuzco, Puno, Arequipa, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Córdoba. ETICA Metropolitan Touring holds a team of experts eager to boost responsible tourism in Latin America, and willing to share exciting and innovative destinations in South America’s most rewarding cities and unique natural areas. Our dedication to excellence in travel safety, commitment to earthly environments, and local cultures is unparalleled in the discovery business.

As a company working in environmentally and culturally-sensitive locations, our goal is to tread lightly and leave a positive impact in the communities we visit by restoring and improving natural and social realities. It may seem all our work focuses in the Galápagos Islands, but in reality, it applies to all we do as a company. Our budget holds an important cluster of resources committed to protection and conservation.

In Ecuador, we explore its Four Worlds: Galápagos, Amazonia, Pacific Coast, and Andes, and handle approximately 12,000 guests per year. Our operations in the Galápagos Islands, an area of about 150,000 Km2, National Park, Marine Reserve, World Heritage Site and part of Man & The Biosphere Program, include three ships: M/V Santa Cruz (90), Yacht Isabela II (40), Yacht La Pinta (48), and also Finch Bay Hotel (21 rooms & 6 suites) with its own yachts for day trips to islands nearby Yacht Sea Finch and Yacht Sea Lion. The Smart Voyager Certification motivates these facilities to apply best environmental practices.

ETICA METROPOLITAN TOURING’S ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

At ETICA Metropolitan Touring we view the environment as “the relationship between human beings and their natural and cultural surroundings. It is everything around us, where we walk, what we see, what we breathe, where we live, and where we work.”

ETICA Metropolitan Touring applies administration practices, operations and technologies oriented to the reduction of environmental impact. The development of new products is based on sustainability principles, preservation and social support. Our team members are encouraged to apply best environmental practices, both at home and also at work. We share our environmental practices with our guests and clients, and motivate them to actively participate in our initiatives. We continuously measure our environmental performance, and communicate our results.

In order to achieve our goals we have designed a company initiative that internally unfolds in six fields of work: Promote, Reduce, Execute, Motivate, Invest, and Optimize. An example of how our efforts have translated into successful stories can be seen at what we decided to establish back in 1998: Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador. This is the first-ever initiative by tourism's private sector for helping the islands protect its fragile ecosystems. Its mission started as, and continues to be, brown issues, human impact, and waste management of the islands, particularly Santa Cruz Island where most inhabitants reside. If we think of a rational way of acting upon current realities of the islands, it is the presence of humans that need the most attention, and it is that same group of humans that can turn things around and contribute positively to this unique environment. Ten years have passed by, and it is very rewarding to see how sustainability has gradually shaped the way people think and react to it. We now have a community much better prepared to face environmental challenges, and also worldwide attention to see how such actions can help other places in similar scenarios. Another successful side of this initiative has been the development of sinergies and energizing relationships. Working together with the Municipality of Santa Cruz, the Galápagos National Park, local schools, and community leaders, shows how coordinated efforts with the same triple-bottom line ideology can work together. In fact, these relationships are the ones generating sustainable benefits. For ETICA Metropolitan Touring, developing Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador has been a wonderful road to explore, where all new findings have benefited the community, the environment, and us as founders of such initiative. We are glad to see many guests, clients and friends of ours joining forces and becoming financial supporters of our work. We are also glad to see others have taken our work as an example to follow.

ETICA Metropolitan Touring’s Fundación Galápagos-Ecuador concentrates its efforts in four aspects:

• Environmental Education: volunteers conduct a local door-to-door campaign that teaches locals the benefits of classifying and recycling garbage. Local radio and TV campaigns are also common. Additionally, local students from elementary and high school levels are invited to join our expedition voyages for a better understanding of the islands' complex ecosystems. These experiences will give them a broad perspective of the archipelago’s importance, while providing them with solid background for making the right decisions. After all, those students will be in the near future the decision makers of the islands, and if they can have a broad understanding of the islands’ complexities, their decisions are likely to be made from a more realistic approach to what is very important and what is truly needed. In 2009 we took 66 students, and since 1998 we have taken a total of 192 local students on board our vessels.

• Solid-waste Recycling: on Santa Cruz Island, and in cooperation with the Municipality of Santa Cruz Island and the Galapagos National Park, we developed the Fabricio Valverde Center for managing solid waste. Back in the decade of the 1990’s the first efforts at recycling started in the most populated island of the archipelago. However, a more realistic approach was needed, and it was concluded that the community needed a key player that would steer all ideas and efforts in the direction needed. One of the first realities to face was that volcanic islands like the Galápagos, have a very thin layer of top soil, which means landfills store solid waste at very fast rates. The less waste is produced, the longer the lifespan of such areas. Thus, a recycling program was more than a need; it was the first logical step to take to assure potential environmental hazards would not happen. The early efforts were hard scenarios, but in the long run it paid off. Plastics and cardboard are compacted and shipped at the expense of Metropolitan Touring’s cargo vessel, the M/V San Cristóbal. These materials return to the mainland for reprocessing and remanufacturing. At the recycling center, glass is milled and then becomes material for making cement-patio blocks that now cover parks, sidewalks and private homes on the island. Each block holds between 15% - 20% milled glass. This whole process directly benefits members of the community, since the option of importing blocks from the mainland is overly expensive. Visitors also experience the benefits since some parks and sidewalks look aesthetically nice.

In 2009, a total of 3,913,226 pounds (1,778,739 Kg) of solid waste have been already recycled at our facility. These materials never went to the local landfill, and that alone is a monumental gain in environmental protection. As new challenges and opportunities unfold, we shall replicate this successful experience in other populated islands, particularly Isabela and San Cristóbal. Working together with other Municipalities will guarantee a solid presence within the community, and delivers a clear message of stewardship which in return sets a sense of pride in residents.

• Coastal Clean-Up: the shores of the islands become the ending trip for floating debris unfortunately discarded in the ocean hundreds of miles away. The coastal ecosystems of the Galápagos are home to many species of flora and fauna some found nowhere else on Earth. Thus, the coastal cleanup project directly benefits coastal ecosystems and its components. Mangroves, for example, retain most of floating plastics and get their sub-aerial roots wrapped in such debris. This prevents mangroves for dispersing effectively and grabbing onto rocky shorelines; mangroves are the feeding and nesting habitat including pelicans, mangrove finches, herons, and provide shade for other species. Sea lions can also be at risk from floating debris since their mammal curious behavior incites them to play with plastics, rubber o-rings, etc. Marine turtles feed on jelly fish and plastic bags in the water can look like potential food to them. This is how local species are affected by floating debris and how this project can directly protect them. With local fishermen and volunteers, we collect these materials and process them at the recycling facility. So far, over 105,000 pounds of solid debris have been collected from the islands' shores in a total of 105 coastal cleaning trips. As part of the project, fishermen receive an economic incentive, allowing them to periodically stop fishing activities, but connect them with natural resources protection. Every September we also lead local actions during the International Coastal Cleanup Day, and have become the only location where underwater cleanup is also managed. The event involves local community members in a volunteer basis.

• Galápagos Community Social Projects: For us, the social component is a priority in sustainability. Thus, it is important to get involved with the local community, and contribute to their well being and their income generation. If we believe in the community’s improvement, we must incorporate them in our business scenario. We developed two local projects that provide sustainable future for the community.

First, it is the FUN Galapagos, involving a local women’s cooperative: Manos Mágicas. Women with great sewing skills, and motivated to improve their own quality of life, make Galapagos'-related rag souvenirs filled with milled plastics from our recycling center. Sales of these support the project itself.

Second, the “Bread for the Future” project, where a local bakery belonging to fishermen’s wives called Perla del Pacífico, produces local bread. Our direct contribution to the project is by purchasing all bread needs from them. Now, our ships serve Galapagos bread including brioche, ciabatta, rolls, baguette, and more. This initiative was launched by ASOGAL, the Association of Galápagos Tour Operators.

Naturally, we address sustainability matters to our guests on board. We share our contributions with them, the islands’ realities, and a clear message on how it works. It is critical that visitors to the islands realize tourism is responsible for generating some impact, but this is being carefully managed, and it unfolds into a positive contribution. This alone will make them aware their travel choice has made a difference.

Awards & Recognitions

Our efforts and actions have been recognized at very specific forums:

• 2008 & 2009 ETICA Metropolitan Touring is selected as an Ecuadorian Company matching the criteria of “Great Place to Work” standards.
• 2008 & 2009 WTM – World Travel Market recognizes ETICA Metropolitan Touring as a supporter of World Responsible Tourism Day
• 2008 Condé Nast awards ETICA Metropolitan Touring as one of 38 companies in the 2008 World Savers Awards in the Category of Wildlife Conservation
• 2008 Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador recognizes ETICA Metropolitan Touring with an Achievement Award in the Development of Sustainable Tourism
• 2008 & 2009 LATA the Latin American Tour Operators Association awards ETICA Metropolitan Touring of Ecuador as Best Ground Operator in Latin America
• 2009 ETICA Metropolitan Touring achieves Finalist nomination in WTTC’s - World Travel & Tourism Council- Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in the Category of Global Tourism Business.
• 2009 ETICA Metropolitan Touring is chosen as Case Study in Sustainable Tourism by WTTC.
• 2009 LATA the Latin American Tour Operators Association awards ETICA Metropolitan Touring of Ecuador’s Yacht La Pinta as Best Expedition Vessel in Latin America

While we still have a lot to accomplish in the long road toward sustainability, we strongly believe we are headed in the right direction. These recognitions show we are actively setting new standards in Ecuador's Tourism industry, and we are honored to lead the way, motivate others, and continue researching into new ventures.