Operator seeks agents’ help to restore ‘eighth natural wonder of the world’
A specialist operator is urging agents to get behind its mission to help restore what it bills as "the eighth natural wonder of the world" – and then send their clients there to see it.
Swoop Patagonia is raising money to restore the Las Guardas bridge in Chile’s Torres Del Paine National Park, which is part of the famous O Circuit trek in Patagonia, after it was damaged earlier this year
And while the Bristol-based specialist, which became B Corp Certified last year, doesn’t currently work with the trade, it has told TTG it would be open to doing so if there was sufficient interest from the trade off the back of the campaign.
The narrow suspension bridge, which was built in 2015, is 52 metres in length and is strung 45 metres above a deep canyon, offering unparalleled views of Glacier Grey and the surrounding glacial scenery.
Harriet Pike, Swoop Patagonia’s general manager, told TTG she learnt about the state of the bridge through a member of local staff, who told her it had collapsed due to winter avalanches.
After confirming the extent of the damage with Swoop’s on-the-ground partners, Pike contacted US conservation charity Conservation Volunteers International Program (ConservationVIP), which has set up a crowdfunding campaign to support the restoration.
Launched in early August with a $30,000 target (£23,000), the campaign has so far raised $2,325 – around £1,800. “The money is going straight to them [ConservationVIP] so they can get all the people they need to repair the bridge,” said Pike.
Swoop Patagonia has pledged $1,000, and will donate an additional $100 for every new O Circuit booking, but it is also looking to its customers for their support.
"I have been trying to reach out to independent travellers who are doing the O Circuit to encourage them to donate,” Pike explained. "But a lot of people don’t want to chip in as they’re already paying a $55 fee to enter the park and to camp there."
Pike said parks like Torres Del Paine suffered from underfunding, and didn’t typically have the resources if something goes wrong. "That’s why it’s really important companies like ours and people who visit these parks support their infrastructure,” Pike added.
The bridge plays a vital role in ensuring the safety of travellers visiting the park, allowing authorities to evacuate trekkers more quickly in the event of emergencies.
Pike said despite the damage to the bridge, the O Circuit remained one of its most popular itineraries, attracting experienced hikers prepared to circumnavigate the gap in the trek.
The operator sells a range of specialist breaks and expeditions to the region, as well as mainstream tours taking in the likes of Chile’s capital Santiago, Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires, the Atacama desert and Iguaza Falls. It has more than 15 years’ experience offering breaks to the region, catering for around 1,500 travellers a year.
Pike confirmed: “We only work directly with customers at the moment but [working with the trade] is something we’re exploring at the moment."
You can find out more about the campaign to restore the Las Guardas bridge via the ConservationVIP fundraising effort.
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