Travel
“
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the places and moments that take our breath away.
—Mark Twain
Travel
As an Ocean Traveler, you will have a massive impact on the kind of experiences and destinations you visit. Your choices will determine if that impact is good or ill, and can leave a lasting impression on the ocean environment and the local communities that depend on that environment. Sustainable travel choices can become a tool for marine conservation and can benefit local people.
Owners of the dive resorts, that we visit will also benefit from these articles, finding a template for turning their resort into an eco-resort, turning their operation into a sustainable business and profiting from today’s travelers who desire a sustainable travel experience.
Citizen Scientists and Voluntourism
The next time you plan a vacation consider making it more meaningful by becoming a Citizen Scientist. As a citizen scientist there is a voluntourism program for you whether its reef restoration, fish counts, whale sightings, water quality surveys, invasive species monitoring or turtle watches and so much more. Find out more on our Citizens and Science Page.
Building a Global Dive Network of Citizen scientists – Julian Hyde
“We’re talking about building reef resilience through better MPA (Marine Protected Area) management, better diver management, and addressing all of those local problems that are facing the reefs.” ~ Julian Hyde A scientist, former dive operator, and now head of Reef...
Dive tourism, Poverty and Reef Fish Decline – Judi Lowe
"75% of the world’s most productive and beautiful coral reefs are located around the equator, home to some of the world’s poorest people. At least 275 million of those people depend directly on coral reefs and fish and marine resources for food, security and income.”...
Sustainable Standards for Profitable Dive Businesses – Dr. Mikki McComb Kobza
“President Obama just went down to the everglades and was talking about climate change and the impact it’s going to have on that fragile ecosystem. It’s real. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and think things are okay. That’s what we’ve done and we know it isn’t...
Global Standards for Responsible Diving – Chloe Harvey
“You don’t need to bore people. You need to inspire them, get them excited about the dive. Actually let people know about the ecological reason behind why we ask people not to step on corals. Let them know that it’s alive, and if you break it, that will do away with...
Dive Resorts as Guardians of the Sea – Cecile & Max Benjamin
“The village people are extremely proud of Walindi. Generally, there’s a lot of respect for what we do… so they don’t trash the reefs..” ~ Cecile & Max Benjamin Papua New Guinea is a special place for divers: Cecilie and Max Benjamin have been showing the...
Dive Tourism as a Tool for Conservation – Andy Miners
"People are much more aware of environmental issues. Not only are they aware, they want to have some kind of positive impact themselves …they are actively choosing resorts and dive businesses that have a positive relationship with the local community and are doing...
The Power Behind a Purpose-Driven Business – Andrew Lewin
“why can’t I start a business that is not just about money, but it actually helps the ocean”. “we need to work to protect our oceans. It’s fundamental in conservation and to our eventual survival. I know it may sound extreme, but it really is” ~ Andrew Lewin A marine...
Can Eco-Friendly Sunscreen Save Coral Reefs?
Travellers who want to swim with migrating whale sharks near Cancun are often told by tour operators that only biodegradable sunscreen is permitted. And those visiting the nearby Mayan-themed nature parks Xcaret and Xel-Ha face similar rules, lest travellers leave...
Non-Profits Get into Dive Travel to Save the Oceans
The Australia-based Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network estimated in a recebt report that 19% of the world’s original coral reef has already been lost, another 15% will be “seriously threatened” in the next two decades and 20% will be threatened with loss in the next...
Voluntourism alive and well and happening in Vanuatu.
Coral Gardening A new eco-tourism venture aimed at reversing the effects of climate change on coral reefs has been launched in Vanuatu. Coral gardening, or mariculture, involves snorkelling to reattach broken pieces of coral to damaged reefs, which can eventually grow...
Banner Image © Jones/Shimlock—Secret Sea Visions