Responsible tourism

Striving to make every possible aspect of business operations ethical and sustainable is high on the blue o two agenda. Winning the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award for 'Best in a Marine Environment' is testament to this aim.

The pressure on businesses to play a social, economic and environmental role in the way they conduct themselves is ever growing. As such, blue o two has actively fostered an ethos which has a positive impact in these areas; examples of initiatives are listed below:

1. Protect the Environment
- HAYAH Reef Clean-up itineraries
- Hurghada Plastic Bag Ban
- Hurghada Recycling Plant project
- Bite-Back exclusive Red Sea partnership

2. Respect local cultures
- We have operational procedures in place to ensure that cultural traditions can be continued and religious holidays taken.

3. Benefit local communities
- We choose local food produce over imported goods for our vessels.
- We have built-up dedicated relationships with local providers for scuba diving services, marine mechanics, merchandise production, laundry and ground services, providing a reliable income stream to support their business growth.
- We train all of our Egyptian staff, not only within their job roles but also in scuba diving as well as; search, rescue and emergency procedures. They are also given the opportunity to train in other areas that they express interest. This creates a well educated and trained community.

4. Conserve natural resources
- Hurghada Plastic Bag Ban.
- We have employed the expertise of a leading resource and waste management company, to ensure that we maximise the recycling and resource efficiency of our UK office.
- Using email to send digital quotes and bookings rather than printing and posting.
- We use video and audio conferencing rather than travelling for face to face meetings.
- We switch off and unplug all electrical equipment in our offices when not in use.
- Plan to mobilise office building owners into adopting more environmentally friendly practices throughout the building such as replacing normal light bulbs with energy efficient ones.
- Plan to employ the expertise of an environmental consultancy to evaluate the buildings energy consumption and suggest ways that we can improve it.

5. Minimise pollution
- We have employed the expertise of a leading resource and waste management company, to ensure that we maximise the recycling and resource efficiency of our UK office.
- We use video and audio conferencing rather than travelling for face to face meetings.
- Hurghada Recycling Plant project.