A unique dive trip to Belize has been named as one of National Geographic’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime 2015; an accolade reserved for the most authentic, innovative, immersive and sustainable tours on the planet.
Run by marine conservation organisation Blue Ventures, the expedition offers travellers the opportunity to improve their scuba diving skills and learn about the marine environment, while surveying and hunting invasive lionfish that threaten Belize’s coral reefs and traditional fisheries.
“This year marks a decade of our editors selecting the world’s best guided tours,” said Norie Quintos, editor in chief of National Geographic Traveller. “In that time the types of experiential trips have only multiplied; tours are going farther and deeper than ever before. The trips and operators that we selected are a model for the rest of the travel industry; they open the world to travellers and at the same time leave a positive impact on the destinations and its people.”
Volunteers from around the world join the organisation’s expeditions team at a beautiful and remote dive camp in the Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve for 1-2 weeks, contributing to valuable research that informs the development of marine conservation efforts including a pioneering initiative to commercialise Belize’s nascent lionfishery with local restaurants and fishing cooperatives.
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from National Geographic,” said Jennifer Chapman, Belize country coordinator for Blue Ventures. “Our lionfish dive trip combines a truly special travel experience in Belize’s stunning World Heritage-listed Barrier Reef with an exciting opportunity to participate directly in Blue Ventures’ innovative and pragmatic marine conservation efforts.”
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Find the full list of National Geographic’s 50 Tours of a Lifetime 2015 at http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/tours/.
Find more information about Blue Ventures’ lionfish dive trip at http://blueventures.org/expeditions/belize/lionfish-dive-trips/.
Find more information about Blue Ventures’ lionfish research and removal programme at http://blueventures.org/conservation/invasive-species/.