ECUADOR
& COLOMBIA SITUATION
The
National
Federation of Tourism Chambers in Ecuador communicates that
the differences between Ecuador and Colombia are not affecting tourism
in general
and security in specific. All tourist and commercial activities
are normal in
the Ecuadorian territory.
Tourism
services in Mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands,
as well as all
airports in the country, have not been changed and are operating
normally.
MAINLAND
ECUADOR
NEWS
Anyone
planning a visit the the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest should be
vacinated against yellow fever
(a confirmed current requirement for the Cuyabeno region and more than
likely a region wide requirement shortly).
This is due to an small outbreak in Brazil.
GALAPAGOS
ISLANDS NEW 2008
[NEW - March 12,
2008] Last
month the
Government of Ecuador issued a decree increasing the cost of diesel
from $1.29 per gallon to $2.79 per gallon. This measure will come into
effect from the beginning of June 2008 and applies to those tourist
vessels in Galapagos that take on more than 4000 gallons per
month.
The step came as something of a surprise to Galapagos Tour operators
and efforts were made to seek a reversal of the decision, but
regrettably to no avail.
The majority of
live-aboard cruise
operations will be affected by the
increase. It is therefore with regret that we will be obliged to
apply
a fuel
surcharge to all passengers travelling from the 1st June/08 onwards.
The amount of the surcharge vary from yacht to yacht, and depending on
the length of cruise. We will be contacting all clients with
existing
bookings in order to
coordinate payment and will be adding the surcharge to all new bookings
for departures including and beyond the June 1st 2008.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding and
regret any inconvenience that this significant and unexpected measure
may cause.
Cruise rates generally
are
increasing between 10 to 25% from year to year.
Although not official, there is word that cruise costs may increase
during 2008 due to
increased fuel costs and taxes.
