Blue Attitude Articles

(Dive Travel Business News - October 1, 2011) -- As a California based stunt woman and scuba instructor, Szilvia Gogh has worked on exciting movie sets with actors like Drew Barrymore, boss around LAPD Dive Team Leaders during training and swim with sharks in remote reefs around the world.  Yet one of her favorite activities is the Chance for Children Summer Camp.

A bit of history here. In the early 90's Greg Bonann, a Los Angeles County lifeguard and creator of the world famous television series Baywatch, talked about the concept of having a "Baywatch theme related camp”.  A year after hearing him talk about the idea, Tai Collins a freelance writer for the show, spoke up. She asked Bonann if he was serious about the summer camp and he was. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - September 26, 2011) -- Sir Richard Branson, chairman of the Virgin Group, and Edward Norton, actor and activist, will speak at the third annual Six Senses SLOW LIFE Symposium, to be held Oct. 6 to 9 at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. The four-day conference, bringing together business leaders with global policy-makers and heads of state, will focus on practical solutions to the principal challenges facing the tourism industry, including low-carbon infrastructure, transportation, resort management and threatened biodiversity.

(Dive Travel Business News - May 25, 2011) -- There is something you need to know about Jaws. He was a fabrication. Photographer and explorer Amos Nachoum dispels the misconception of killer species in a photographic exploration presented at TEDxConejo2011. See the video below.

Amos Nachoum is a photographer and explorer. He has shot just about everything there is to shoot, but what he loves most is wildlife photography. Especially if it's in the water. And he has become world-famous at it. So much so, in fact, that he has been asked to lead National Geographic expedition teams with Dr. Eugenie Clark, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and astronaut Buzz Aldrin. He has co-produced documentaries with Stan Waterman, and he was the team leader for National Geographic's Red Sea, Great White Shark, and Killer Whale photo expeditions.

His commitment to wildlife led him to co-found Israel's Marine National Park on the Red Sea. He works tirelessly to bring attention to some of the most fragile regions of the underwater realm, with preservation of the environment foremost in every encounter. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - December 17, 2010) -- The following is the official report from the expert team brought to Sharm El-Sheikh to investigate a series of shark attacks in late November and early December in the waters off the popular Egyptian resort area.

Between November 30 and December 5, 2010 there were 5 unprovoked shark attacks reported from Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.

Following these attacks the Egyptian government assembled an international team of experts to conduct a forensic analysis of the attacks: Ralph S. Collier, President, of the Shark Research Committee and Director of the Global Shark Attack File; Marie Levine, Executive Director, Shark Research Institute; Moustafa Fouda, MSEA; Mohammad Salem, EEAA; and Nassar Galal, CDWS.

The team gathered eyewitness testimony, examined the attack locations, and reviewed the forensic evidence, including all environmental factors present prior to each of the attacks. The following is a list of those factors they believed contributed to the attacks: read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - October 27, 2010) -- Kantilal Jivan, or Kanti as he is better known, father of Nature Seychelles Dr. Nirmal Jivan Shah, passed away suddenly at Victoria Hospital, Mahe, Seychelles on Thursday, October 21, 2010. As a Seychellois of Indian origin, he went beyond his career as a successful businessman, protecting the natural heritage of the Seychelles and influenced many people both in Seychelles and overseas.

Kanti was the first Seychellois to have received the Seychelles National Tourism Trophy and served as the Chair of the Seychelles Small Hotels and Guesthouse Association for many years He has been featured in more than two hundred magazine and newspaper articles, TV interviews and films. He starred with Omar Shariff in the film "Return to Eden" and was included by Ian Fleming as a character in a story in the James Bond novel "For Your Eyes Only." He wrote many articles about the Seychelles and was a prolific international speaker.   read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - July 31, 2010) -- The world's top shark experts are allowing themselves to be auctioned on eBay during Shark Week 2010 to raise funds for the Shark Research Institute's conservation programs. Up for auction are dinners (or lunches) with the world's foremost shark experts. It is a unique opportunity to "talk shark" face- to-face, one-on-one, with an authority on sharks.
 
Shark experts and celebrities being auctioned include: Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer-in- Residence and unquestionably the most eloquent spokesperson for ocean conservation; Dr. Eugenie Clark, founder & director of Mote Marine Labs; Donald Schultz, host of Animal Planet's Wild Recon, Dr. Leonard Compagno, the world's top shark expert; legendary filmmakers Tom Campbell, Jeff Kurr, Marty Snyderman and Jonathan Bird; underwater photographers Amos Nachoum and Matt Potenski, marine painter and author Richard Ellis, artists David Dunleavy and Rogest; and Sherman Lagoon's Jim Toomey and Shaaark's Phil Watson.
  read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - June 14, 2010) -- The terms "green" and "sustainable" have been bandied about, and now with part of the Gulf covered in a thick coating of oil, it seems a good time to revisit these definitions.

The word "green" refers to being environmentally friendly, writes Ronnie Citron-Fink in a recent article at Care2.com. She explains that the term "green" tends to focus on the use of fewer natural resources and minimizing waste. On a narrow level, "Sustainability" is more encompassing than green. It addresses the individual environmental choices, and the process of discovery that include the health and wellbeing of our selves as individuals, and our planet. On a broader level, "Sustainability" implies future viability of the collective -- politically, socially and economically. It also has to do with being less of a burden on future generations, she writes. Read more here.

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(Dive Travel Business News - June 3, 2010) -- The Maldives’ nation continues to be a frontrunner in environmental activism with their latest announcement that offers complete protection for sharks in its  90,000 sq.kms (34,750 sq.miles) of Maldives territorial waters. The huge shark sanctuary will be free of all shark fishing and finning, protecting more than 30 different species that make their home in the region. The Maldives has further banned all imports and exports of shark fins and shark products.

"The Maldives were one of the first countries to recognize that sharks were a key reason tourists went to dive there," said Matt Rand, Director of Global Shark Conservation for the Pew Environment Group. "Today's announcement protects the Maldives' tourism industry - the largest segment of their economy - from the ravages of the shark fin trade. It is a bold and farsighted move on the part of the government of the Maldives." read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - May 11, 2010 ) --  Dive Travel Specialists take note: The world's leading online travel agency Expedia has recognized the value of providing eco-friendly hotel offerings to travelers who prioritize environmental sustainability and want to travel in a socially responsible manner.  read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - April 25, 2010) - Miami FL --In conjunction with its worldwide live-aboard fleet, Peter Hughes Diving will donate  $30 for every guest that travels on a Dancer Fleet yacht in 2010 to help fund this vital campaign. 

(TravelPulse.com - January 4, 2010) -- Each year, from March 1 to Aug. 31, approximately 6,000 of the world’s largest marine turtles, the leatherback, make the journey to the shores of Trinidad & Tobago to lay the eggs that will carry on the next generation of this critically endangered species. With a careful approach to the preservation of one of nature’s most ancient mariners, the leatherback conservation project in Trinidad & Tobago has grown to become the second largest nesting colony in the world. In addition, the project supports more than 80 percent of all leatherback sea turtle nesting in the insular Caribbean Sea. read more »

 (DiveTravelNewswire.com - Nov 12, 2009) -- At the 16th annual World Travel Awards held in London UK earlier this week, more than 183,000 travel agencies and 160 countries voted on the best of the best in all sectors of the worldwide travel industry.“Fiji’s Leading Resort” went to Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Islands Resort for the second consecutive year bringing the resort’s World Travel Awards to six. read more »

(Dive Travel Business News - March 14, 2010) --  Vacation Agent - With some of the finest reefs on earth, crystal-clear water and endless shorelines of sugary sand, the Caribbean is attracting the particular attention of environmentalists, who wish to ensure the sustainability of the region’s tourism product. As more and more travelers opt for stays in eco-astute properties, the goal is to make “green” the norm, not the expensive alternative. read more »

(June 2, 2009 - DTN) - Travel Weekly - The global economy went into a meltdown last year just as the green travel movement had begun gaining significant momentum with ecofriendly hotels, improved fuel efficiency across all transportation segments and the growing popularity of carbon offset programs. The effort reached a high point in October, when thousands gathered at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona to establish a coherent sustainable-travel agenda. 

Throughout the downturn, the challenge has been to protect green momentum from markets awash in red ink. 

While the goals of all those players remain lofty, the persistent economic strain on companies' finances since last fall has to some extent made it harder to justify the cost of green initiatives. But in a serendipitous twist, it turns out that many green initiatives also help cut operating costs, which is giving businesses across the spectrum an incentive they didn't have before the credit crisis turned Western economies sour. read more »

(April 23, 2008 - Tribune Media Services) -- Book an airline ticket, save the planet. Re-use the towel in your hotel; stop global warming. Rent a hybrid car; reduce our dependence on fossil fuel.

Lofty promises made by airlines peddling gimmicky carbon offsets, resorts hawking convoluted green initiatives and companies with shiny new fleets of high-maintenance cars to rent.

And empty promises.

In fact, there’s no credible evidence that the greening of travel is saving the Earth. But here’s what we do know. A recent Deloitte survey found that nearly half of all travelers try to be “environmentally friendly” when they’re traveling, and almost a quarter of them are willing to pay more for green hotels, resorts and rental cars. Another poll by Travelocity found that almost three-quarters of active travelers were prepared to pony up more cash for a greener getaway. read more »

(May 1, 2008 - DTN) -- A diverse group of experts called for a balance between environmental and economic interests during the 10th Annual Caribbean Conference on Sustainable Tourism.

Speaking as part of a panel on the theme Challenges for the Caribbean Coastal Tourism Environment, they pointed to “the inexorable link” between the seemingly divergent causes of profit and ecological protection, with each playing a role in the future of Caribbean tourism.

According to Rick MacPherson, director of the conservation program for the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), Caribbean leaders must consider a “triple bottom line” to address coastal environment sustainability as it relates to tourism. “The fact of the matter is that no conservation program or goal is achievable unless it’s economically viable,” he said. “It has to be a combination of business success, environmental protection and demonstrating social responsibility.” read more »

(May 1, 2008 - DTN) --  Bonaire, the dive and soft adventure destination in the southern Caribbean,  was the recipient of the prestigious Islands Magazine/Caribbean Tourism Organization 2008 Sustainable Tourism Award.

This popular dive mecca was awarded the honor in recognition of its longstanding commitment and leadership role in marine conservation and for its proactive measures in protecting the marine environment. The Sustainable Tourism Award recipient was selected by a panel of judges from Islands Magazine and the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), who reviewed all of the entries submitted by CTO member countries. read more »

(January 11, 2008 - PATA) --The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) signed a new agreement with EC3 Global, managers of the Green Globe brand, to help significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its landmark new event, the “PATA CEO Challenge: Confronting Climate Change.” Green Globe is the leading international environmental benchmarking and certification program for the travel and tourism industry.

“It is critical that PATA leads by example and does everything possible to minimize the carbon emissions produced by this important and historic event to confront climate change,” said PATA President & CEO, Peter de Jong. On April 29-30 travel and tourism industry leaders will gather in Bangkok for the inaugural PATA CEO Challenge. It will be the first time that decision-makers from all sectors of Asia Pacific travel and tourism meet to discuss and agree to practical solutions to confront climate change. read more »

(March 26, 2008 - DTN) -- A recent decision to protect more than 98,840 acres of wetlands in Cancun expands the scope of tourist options at the destination, providing a special attraction for nature lovers and extra protection against the hurricanes that threaten the city’s beaches year after year.

The so-called “Nichupte Mangrove Swamps” Flora and Fauna Protection Area covers a total of approximately 10,511 acres of wetlands that are contiguous to Cancun’s hotel zone and make up a territory equivalent to 50 percent of the current developed area of Mexico’s leading tourist destination.

The wetlands not only will protect the coasts against the effects of storms and hurricanes but also will reduce the level of organic and inorganic material and contaminants in the water, generating environmental conditions favorable to the development of biological systems, as well as protecting and reducing the natural and human impact on other ecosystems. Visit cancun.info

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(March 31, 2008 - DTN) - National Geographic Traveler recently recognized Bucuti Beach Resort in Aruba for its sense of place on the magazine’s first annual “Stay List.” The compilation represents 150 properties that embody the true traveler experience, going beyond just the hotel lobby. The list acknowledges resorts that incorporate and share the soul of their location, respect and conserve local resources and play a vital role in the community.

The resort’s guest rooms feature Aruba Aloe toiletries and balconies with a view of the beautiful white sandy shores of Eagle Beach. Bucuti’s grounds are landscaped with flora indigenous to the island, which has been labeled for guest education. Adding to the Aruban experience, a wide array of arts and crafts made from local artisans is available at the on-site gift shop. read more »

(April 23, 2008 - Modern Agent) -- Elite Island Resorts, the second-largest independently owned Caribbean hospitality group, announced that four of its properties have been certified green in accordance with the the Baseline Criteria of Sustainable Tourism Certification Network of the Americas, International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001/14001, The Mohonk Agreement, Agenda 21 and principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992. read more »

(January 16, 2008 DTN) - Hilton Hotels Corporation opened the Hilton Papagayo Resort Costa Rica. The Hilton Papagayo Resort is a member of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program, where it has been recognized with a three-leaf rating from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. The scenic volcanic sand beach at the Hilton Papagayo Resort also has been designated a government protected beach where guests can enjoy untouched natural surroundings.

Formerly the Premier Fiesta Resort and Spa, the 202-room all-inclusive resort has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation, covering almost every aspect of the property. Located just 20 minutes from Liberia International Airport, the Hilton Papagayo Resort is nestled between the mountains on a secluded, government protected natural volcanic sand beach on the Bay of Papagayo in Guanacaste. read more »

(April 22, 2008 - Travel Agent) -- Lawmakers in Washington are looking to crack down on cruise ship pollution. U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) is introducing the Clean Cruise Ship Act, which seeks to protect the world’s oceans and the Great Lakes from pollution by raising current control standards.

The act would create coastal zones where cruise ships would be prohibited from dumping waste and new standards for waste treatment. Alaska state legislators have already passed similar legislation that helps safeguard its local waters from cruise ship pollution.

Durbin, in introducing the legislation, cited the large size of today’s cruise ships and the “500,000 gallons of sewage, 37,000 gallons of oily bilge water and more than 1.7 million gallons of wastewater from sinks, showers, laundry and galleys” they generate. Regulations governing the cruise ship industry, he said, were written in the 1970’s when ships were relatively small compared to the ones plying the oceans today. read more »

(April 6, 2008 - New York Times) -- Though not the ultimate answer to combating the effect of air travel emissions, carbon offsetting is still better than doing nothing. Below is a list of reputable companies that offset air travel and an explanation of how they help reduce your footprint.

Climatecare.org Projects include providing developing countries with efficient cooking stoves that require less wood (often a scarce resource); and a project inIndia that promotes the use of hand-powered treadle pumps, instead of diesel-fueled machines, for collecting water from wells, streams and lakes.www.climatecare.org read more »