Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

Azamara, World Wildlife Fund team on ‘People to Planet’ voyages and tours

PHOTO: WORLD WILDLIFE FUND Azamara-WWF.jpg
Addo Elephant Park is featured as one of the new People to Planet excursions
Azamara expanded its partnership with World Wildlife Fund to offer a new collection of ‘People to Planet’ voyages and excursions, starting in South Africa.

Donation to WWF conservation efforts

Azamara President and CEO Larry Pimentel announced a total donation of $100,000 from all People to Planet voyages and $30 from each People to Planet excursion purchase to WWF in support of its conservation efforts.

This funding will help support WWF's conservation work in South Africa, which includes protecting rhino populations, reducing the impact of the illegal wildlife trade and contributing to sustainable seafood initiatives.

‘WWF South Africa is delighted to partner with Azamara to provide passengers a peek into the vital work we are undertaking to protect our natural resources — oceans, land, wildlife — so that we can continue to benefit from food, energy and fresh water,’ said Morné du Plessis, CEO, WWF South Africa.

‘Our partnership assists WWF achieve its aim of creating a future where people live in harmony with nature, by bringing guests closer to nature and promoting a greater understanding and respect for the role nature plays in our daily lives.’

People to Planet voyages

Launching in early 2021, six conservation-themed voyages in South Africa are aimed at inspiring personal commitment and environmental conservation. On-board programming will feature WWF experts discussing topics such as sustainable agriculture, conservation champion wine farms, water resources, food elements, sustainability and wildlife.

Professionals will be integrated into activities ranging from hosting an interactive chef's table, where participants sample five South Africa-themed dishes, to conducting WWF-themed trivia sessions throughout the voyage.

Passengers also can indulge in a daily South African dish at one of the on-board restaurants.

People to Planet excursions

Launching in fall 2020, the excursions will shine a spotlight on local culture, natural wonders and how WWF is working to create a future where people and nature thrive. WWF will provide an expert to accompany each tour.

The WWF South Africa Sustainable Seafood Initiative in Cape Town, for example, involves WWF-recognized chef Christian Campbell on a tour of a local farm, participants will learn about sustainable agriculture and food practices in South Africa.

On an Addo Elephant Park by 4x4 tour in Port Elizabeth, passengers will travel via 4x4 through Addo Elephant Park, home to more than 450 elephants and the rest of the 'Big Five' species.

The two-day Phinda Mountain Lodge Overnight Rhino Conservation trip from Richard's Bay visits Phind, where the landscape and vegetation shelter an abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five and many rarer and less easily spotted species, such as the elusive cheetah. Participants will also have the rare opportunity to track the highly endangered black rhino with an expert tracker.