At AIDA, we believe that acting sustainably and creating unforgettable vacation memories go hand in hand. We inform our travel agency partners and our guests about our commitment. We are also continuously expanding our selection of sustainable and attractive excursions. In 2013, we launched the “AIDA Freunde der Meere e.V.” (“AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.”) organization at the initiative of our employees to make an active commitment to marine and coastal conservation.
AIDA bicycle excursions offer many advantages. They are healthy, environmentally friendly and bring guests close to real life in the destination region. Bike excursions have been part of our program for many years and that makes us a pioneer and trendsetter in the cruise industry. With our new “fleet” of Segways and E-Bikes – an increasing number of which are available on AIDA ships – we will be able to offer our guests even more opportunities in the future of discovering the shoreside area in an environmentally-friendly and hugely enjoyable way. In 2013, some ships in the AIDA fleet were each equipped with 21 Pedeltecs, and Segways were added to a fourth ship. Just like our trusty bicycle excursions, the guided tours on Segways or Pedeltecs offer an exceptionally relaxing experience on two wheels.
If you have any questions on our tours, please get directly in touch with the AIDA Biking Team at biking@aida.de.
In all AIDA excursions, it is very important to us that any packaging or other waste generated is disposed of on site in an environmentally-friendly way. If this is not possible, our participants take their garbage back on board with them. There we can separate, recycle and dispose of waste as necessary.
Sustainably designed shoreside excursions do not just allow our guests to enjoy unforgettable experiences; they also contribute substantially to economic development, protection and promotion of the environment and cultural heritage and the preservation of the livelihoods of local populations. We sent a clear signal for sustainable tourism when we signed the UN-WTO Code of Ethics for Tourism in 2012.
A number of excursions – such as many of our active excursions with bicycles, e-bikes, Segways, as well as hikes and urban walking tours – have been designed in an eco-friendly way. We also have offers such as kayaking tours and fun sports. In the spring of 2014, we will be testing standup paddleboarding in the Canary Islands on our AIDAblu ship. If this is a success, then we hope to offer this option in other destinations by the winter.
On all AIDA excursions it is very important to us that any packaging that is brought along or any other waste that is generated is disposed of on site in an environmentally friendly way. If this is not possible, then our participants take their garbage back on board with them, where it can be separated, recycled, and disposed of accordingly.
We continue to work with our partner Futouris to promote sustainable shore excursions. In 2012, we conducted a guest survey on this topic and developed a criteria catalog for sustainable shore excursions in 2013. [Verlinkung auf Nachhaltige Landausflüge AIDA cares 2013] In 2014 the focus will be on practicing sustainable excursion planning. The first pilot projects will be implemented in the Baltic Sea region in 2014. So that AIDA guests can immediately see which of our excursions are especially sustainable, we will use symbols to identify such excursions starting in April 2014. Right now there are a total of sixteen sustainable excursions. A central concern of the project is to make the measures in the respective destinations visible and to sensitize passengers to sustainability aspects on shore excursions. Such aspects primarily come into play when it comes to how guests are transported on shore excursions, the tourism infrastructure used (e.g., energy efficiency, water conservation, using local products, and avoiding and separating waste) as well as social aspects and treating foreign cultures with respect.
The AIDA team is convinced of the merits of acting sustainably. It is precisely this conviction that we want to pass on to our guests. For example: We have stopped visiting dolphinariums for reasons related to animal welfare. The way in which sea mammals are kept in most of these parks is not in the interest of the species. For this reason, we have decided to stop supporting these institutions. One exception are a few select theme parks that are actively committed to species conservation and promoting the protection of sea animals through their educational and research work. These parks provide the animals with living conditions that exceed the minimum defined standards for animal welfare. AIDA is a member of the Futouris e.V. initiative, which aims to work together with environmental organizations and researchers to review and improve how animal welfare standards are defined and adhered to. AIDA Cruises recommends that guests who are interested in whales and dolphins observe them living free in nature, for example on a whale watching tour. We support soft tourism and are continuing to expand our range of excursions. This is also why for many years we have been offering our guests excursions on which they can see whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural habitats. We work with select providers who make sure that tourists will not disturb the animals. We want our guests to have the opportunity to consciously experience the many different facets of sustainability – in everyday life on board and on shore excursions, on bike or Segway tours, and during our informational events on culture and the environment. With our program –through what we offer and what we don’t – we want to inspire our guests and invite them to travel with greater awareness.
For more and more people, the eco-friendliness of a planned trip is becoming an important booking criterion aside from the actual vacation experience. This is why at AIDA Cruises we provide our travel agency partners with transparent information about our environmental commitment. We are also available to speak with them and answer their questions so that they can thoroughly advise their customers. In 2013, sustainability was a key point on the agenda at 287 evening events for travel agencies and 155 trade fairs. Environmental protection has also been permanently integrated into ongoing sales campaigns for our office and field staff. In October 2013 we began the EXPIdition program, a multipart series of training workshops for travel agency employees, which included an online test with questions about the environment. On an EXPI Tour with ten events throughout Germany and at an EXPI Brunch with 25 breakfast seminars, participants were able to gain in-depth knowledge and engage with us in a dialog about sustainability.
As a cruise operator, AIDA relies on an intact environment and clean oceans. Many employees as well as guests advocate protecting this sensitive ecosystem and want to actively contribute to preserving it. But how and where can they get involved?
At the suggestion of AIDA employees, a committed team headed by Dr. Monika Griefahn, Chief Sustainability Officer AIDA Cruises, decided to tackle this very question. The result: On March 12, 2013, the founding meeting for the “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” (“AIDA Freunde der Meere e.V.”) was held aboard AIDAstella.
“AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” operates as a non-profit organization and is managed separately from AIDA. The organization has set the goal of using various projects to promote the concept of environmental and marine conservation at both the national and international level. According to information from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), each year around 6.4 million tons of trash are dumped into the world’s oceans. “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” wants to do something to stop this. It can no longer simply stand by and watch as more and more animals perish and the vital habitats of birds, fish, and other living creatures are destroyed.
The organization’s work focuses on promoting an understanding of the ocean ecosystem and sensitizing the public about ecological problems affecting maritime habitats. “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” wants to get as many people as possible excited about the fascinating ocean world and thus increase conservation efforts and the willingness to protect our oceans and coastal landscapes for the long-term. This should particularly be done through practical nature protection projects, but also through educational and PR work.
In 2013, special attention was given to the issue of “Trash in the ocean.” In September 2013, “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” participated in the “International Coastal Cleanup Day” with tremendous success and held coastal cleanup activities in Hamburg and Warnemünde. In 2013, the organization sponsored a drawing contest to encourage preschoolers and schoolchildren to think about the ocean in a creative, diverse way. Over 16 institutions responded to our call for submissions; we received over 200 entries. Another important focus for “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” is its committed opposition to so-called microplastics. Many toothpastes, exfoliating shower gels, and other everyday products contain small “plastic pearls” that are meant to enhance the cleaning action. These plastic microparticles contain polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which can have harmful effects on the health of humans and animals. After washing, these microplastics, which are invisible to the naked eye, travel from the plumbing in our bathrooms into the water supply. Since these microparticles cannot be broken down, they pose a risk to our water sources. Birds and fish also mistakenly see these microplastics as food and often die from them. “AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” wants to raise awareness about the impact of microplastics and encourage consumers to make conscious product decisions. All cleaning and cosmetic products on board AIDA ships are naturally free of microplastics.
“AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V.” is open to anyone interested in becoming involved in protecting the ocean and supporting this work. Donations and memberships will allow the organization to continue to grow and promote its projects. We warmly welcome new members who wish to actively contribute their ideas and work on projects.
More information about AIDA Friends of the Ocean e.V., membership applications, and contact details can be found at www.aida-freunde-der-meere.de
