How many tourists visit Easter Island each year?
100,000 travelers
Despite its extreme seclusion, most people know of Easter Island for one reason: the moai sculptures. And they are enough to attract nearly 100,000 travelers every year to this island of just 5,700 inhabitants.
How does tourism impact Easter Island?
As it can be seen, the most important problems associated with tourism development on Easter Island, i.e., where residents believed that tourism has a significant or very significant impact, were vehicular increase and congestion (96%), waste increase (88%), environmental impacts (72%), water contamination (69%), and …
What is the main industry on Easter Island?
tourism
Indeed, tourism is the main industry in Easter Island, known the world over for its Moai, the large stone statues sculpted from solidified volcanic ash that represent the home of the spirits, where the vitality of the native islanders’ ancestors is said to be preserved.
How does Easter Island get electricity?
Modern society at Easter Island. Rapa Nui locals today live in houses with windows and doors. The town of Hanga Roa has electricity generated by diesel engines, though it cuts around once a week for a couple of hours because of failure or maintenance.
Does Easter Island have Internet?
In Easter Island almost all hotels offer internet connection, in some cases through computers accessible to customers and in others there is WiFi signal, although it usually covers only the common areas and not the rooms. The mobile phone signal on the island only works in Hanga Roa and not always correctly.
Why is Easter Island not safe for tourists?
They included dengue fever, the lack of a decent hospital, a steady accumulation of garbage, over-fishing, the arrival of thousands of tourists each year and damage to the moai, the giant stone statues that have made the island famous across the world.
Can you sleep in Easter Island?
In line with its charm and seclusion, Easter Island doesn’t have a single big brand hotel on the island, but this doesn’t mean that accommodations don’t run the full gamut from luxury to lowbrow. If you’re down to splurge on your hotel, look no further than Hotel Hangaroa Eco Village and Spa.
Why is Easter Island in danger?
Renowned for its massive centuries-old statues known as moai, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has come under threat of overtourism, with frequent flights to the island putting a strain on the local people and its resources. …
What language do they speak in Easter Island?
Islanders smile, sing and dance in polyester costumes to cater to the mostly Spanish-speaking spenders. Ever since Chile annexed Easter Island more than a century ago, the Spanish language has been chipping away at the Polynesian-based language called Rapa Nui.
When did Easter Island become a tourist destination?
As tourism became a more common part of the Easter Island society since the 1990’s and people travel from all over the world to see this unique culture, there has been an increased pride in the cultural Rapa Nui identity.
What are the social impacts of Easter Island?
The loss of culture and negative social impacts can be especially problematic on a remote island environment such as Easter Island (Conlin and Baum 1995). The purpose of this research is to examine the social component of sustainable tourism on Easter Island with respect to the indigenous Rapa Nui population.
Do you need a visa to go to Easter Island?
Easter Island is part of Chile. Citizens of USA, European Union, Canada and Australia do not need a visa to enter Chile. All these citizens need is a passport and a flight ticket showing that you will leave the country within 90 days.
How long does it take to tour Easter Island?
To make the most out of your visit to this unique island, most people prefer to do at least two days of touring with a private guide to not miss all the history, legends and stories behind the remnants of the unique Rapa Nui civilization.