Lindblad Expeditions And Island Conservation Launch Galápagos Island Relief Fund *Campaign to Help Rebuild the Economy for Local People and Wildlife* News provided by Share this article Lindblad Expeditions, a global provider of expedition cruises, and Island Conservation, an international not-for-profit conservation organization, have launched the Galápagos Island Relief Fund to provide immediate financial relief for the people of the Galápagos Islands who have been devastated by the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism accounts for more than 80% of the Galápagos economy, so in March, when travel restrictions suddenly halted the tourism industry, it caused profound hardship for families, businesses, and the community at large. In the first two months of the pandemic alone, the islands' economy lost $50 million, almost a quarter of the annual income; and the Galápagos Chamber of Tourism recently reported that visitors between July and October dropped a staggering 95%. The economic devastation also poses a serious threat to the conservation of this extraordinary and pristine archipelago.