blue o two WIN 'Best in a Marine Environment' at the WORLD TRAVEL MARKET VIRGIN HOLIDAYS RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AWARDS...
blue o two is the proud winner of a Responsible Tourism award for 'Best in a Marine Environment'. Held at the World Travel Market, this was the forth year of the awards. With 1700 nominations it was the biggest yet, proving that responsible travel is an issue demanding more and more attention. The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards are the largest of their kind in the world and are different from other tourism Awards in that the winners are nominated by the tourists themselves.
'We are so thrilled to receive this award,' said Company Director Nathan Tyler, 'it is not only fantastic for us, but also for the Red Sea as a whole. This award puts Egypt on the global map for responsible and sustainable tourism.'
What the judges said& 'blue o two have developed a new business approach to diving in the Red Sea, in a highly competitive price-driven market, demonstrating that responsible diving is possible for a mainstream business and establishing a way of doing business which is causing their competitors to become more responsible.'
As well as taking a closer look at their own operational procedures; the company is working with the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association (HEPCA) to draw up new operational procedures and standards for all dive boats operating in the Red Sea. This is in a bid to slowdown the devastating damage being caused to this unique marine environment by diving vessels and the divers themselves.
'We've got a long way to go,' added fellow Company Director Jason Strickland. 'We might not win every battle and we've made our fair share of mistakes, but it is amazing what you can do when you try.'