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MSC Cruises bringing sustainable shorex to 90 destinations by season’s end

MSC Cruises will expand the availability of its Protectours to 90 destinations by the end of the summer, rising from 20 ports at the beginning of the season. It will also minimise the environmental impact of land-based tours and support nature-positive activities across its range of other excursions.

Holly Payne, Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

May 9, 2022

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Up to 70% of Protectours, introduced by the line in 2020, will have a low environmental impact owing to an increase in the number of walking, hiking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking excursions. Examples include planting trees to replenish lost forests in the Greek island of Rhodes, collecting plastic waste from the beaches of the Adriatic Sea, nature walking tours in the Bahamas, making eco-friendly jewellery in Helsinki, Finland, urban farming and beekeeping in Rotterdam, Netherlands, organic rooftop farming in Copenhagen, Denmark, and stone cleaning in Scotland.

Marialuisa Iaccarino, head of shore excursions, MSC Cruises, said, ‘Travel and tourism has a very significant role to play in global decarbonisation and we need to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that we meet the expectation of travellers who are more aware and engaged in sustainability matters and the protection and enhancement of the natural environment.
 
‘At MSC Cruises we are determined to prove that the industry is a positive and engaged player in driving sustainable tourism.’

Low carbon footprint excursions offered by the line will comprise 150 bicycle tours available in 21 countries; according to a spokesperson, these are growing in popularity among passengers.

Low carbon tours

More electric and hybrid shuttle buses will be used to transport passengers between ports and places of interest in Denmark, Finland, Norway, Spain and Sweden, with MSC Cruises looking to increase its use of green ground transportation in the future.

Largest number of shore excursions available
 
MSC's summer 2022 shore excursion programme will total nearly 1,400 tours — the largest number offered by the line to date. Northern Europe will host 640 excursions, the Mediterranean 550 and the Caribbean 200.

About the Author

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

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