Are Private Galapagos Tours the New “Disney World” for Athletes Who Win the Super Bowl

Ask any athlete after they have won a big championship game what they plan on doing and the standard answer is ‘going to Disney World/Disneyland’, but a recent shift in interest may have athletes saying something new. Athletes in an effort to appear unique and different are now starting to take private Galapagos tours after they win a championship.

“We noticed about two years ago that major sports stars were requesting private tours of the Galapagos Islands after they won a championship”, reported Annie Boatman, a travel agent that specializes in planning tours to the Galapagos. “It seemed an odd request at first, but now we have at least half a dozen athletes who request this after a big win.”

There is no real explanation for why the athletes would make the switch, but experts of the Galapagos Islands believe that it could be the relaxing nature of the islands. The Galapagos Islands are extremely calm, relaxing, and filled with lush forest greenery.

“Many athletes spend their season focusing on their skills and winning the ‘big one’”, said sports psychologist Timmy Ringo. “It comes as no surprise that after a big win, they want to get away from it all and regenerate. I think the unique surroundings are really what encourage the athletes to come to this tropical retreat.”

It is expected that even more athletes will try to take private getaways to the Galapagos Islands in 2014. It appears as if word of how relaxing and wonderful this type of vacation can be has been spreading and athletes want to experience it for themselves.

“I think that this recent increase in interest will really help the area”, said Boatman. “It really will help with the preservation and restoration of the islands. There was a lack of interest for several years, but this new increase will bring in new tourists and that means more money for the area. It is a win/win.”

Several tour directors in an effort to encourage people to come to the islands and explore are creating different Galapagos tours. These tours are based off of the popular areas that the athletes travel to and visit. It will include dolphin discovery trips, turtle discovery tours, and the ability to relax beachside – just like an athlete.

“We are hoping that people’s desire to want to be just like their favorite sports celebrities will win out and they will want to explore the islands”, said Boatman. “That is why we are creating these new Galapagos tours.”