Categorized | Business

Atlantis earns HEA Sustainable Certification Award

MEDIA RELEASE

Atlantis Adventures longstanding commitment to providing “green” submarine tours and advocating marine conservation has been rewarded by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association (HEA) with certification as a Sustainable Tour Operator.

Earning the designation is designed to inform visitors about the opportunities to enjoy a more authentic Hawaii travel experience, hear from knowledgeable guides, explore exclusive locations, and support companies that believe in the ideals of ecotourism.

HEA’s recognition of Atlantis as a Certified Sustainable Tour Operator is in effect for a two-year period through 2016 and the company is encouraged to showcase this award to help promote sustainable tourism in Hawaii.

“Our entire team is thrilled about earning this certification and we thank the Hawaii Ecotourism Association for recognizing both our efforts and those of other companies statewide who share our dedication in sharing the beauty of Hawaii in a way that is respectful and supportive of the environment,” said Ron Williams, President and CEO of Atlantis Adventures.

“Ecotourism is so vital to the future of our state’s tourism industry and how we present Hawaii to the rest of the world. We are very proud of the stewardship that Atlantis has taken in showcasing Hawaii’s marine world for more than 25 years and we will continue to promote our our message of conservation and preservation to all our guests.”

HEA recently conducted an examination of Atlantis’ submarine tour and dinner cruise operations and highlights of its evaluation in recommending the company’s certification as a Sustainable Tour Operator included the following comments:

“Atlantis’ Sustainability Plan is excellent and very thorough, matching the outline of HEA’s Sustainable Tourism Certification Program. You also did a fantastic job providing supplementary materials.”

“Community outreach is extensive and having key board members report their particular efforts shows a clear commitment to the principles of contributing to the local community.”

“Clear commitment to training of staff on safety, culture and the environment.”

“Fantastic on-tour interpretation with the inclusion of both Hawaiian and English names, supplemented with your printed dive log.”

Atlantis is one of only 17 companies statewide to be certified by HEA this year. HEA’s annual awards luncheon formally recognizing all the honorees is Sept. 17 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort.

This marks the second consecutive time that Atlantis has earned certification as a Sustainable Tour Operator by HEA, having previously earned that distinction in 2011 when HEA established the recognition program and made its inaugural awards.

Atlantis provides daily submarine tours off Waikiki, Lahaina, Maui, and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island using the world’s most technologically advanced passenger submarine to safely descend more than 100 feet underwater.

Each submarine is battery-powered and emits no pollutants as it moves quietly through the water without disturbing fish or marine life.

At its Waikiki and Lahaina dive sites, Atlantis has taken proactive steps to help create a sustainable habitat for fish and marine life in these areas, with the installation of artificial reefs.

Undersea areas that were once nearly barren of marine life now thrive with coral, schools of fish, and green sea turtles.

Seating 48 passengers, each submarine features a spacious, air-conditioned cabin that offers a large viewing portal for each seat and lots of leg and headroom.

At its Waikiki dive site, guests have the option of enjoying Atlantis’s premium submarine tour featuring the world’s largest passenger submarine at 64 seats and viewing portals that are 65% larger.

Atlantis Adventures offers daily submarine tours year-round in Hawaii’s ocean waters off Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Lahaina on Maui, and Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island.

The company is committed to being sustainable with its tour operations and a responsible steward of Hawaii’s marine environment.

Its passenger submarines are the most technologically advanced in the world, are battery-powered, and emit no pollutants as they move quietly through the water without disturbing fish or marine life.

In recognition of its continuing commitment to ecotourism operations and principles, Atlantis Adventures was honored in 2014 as a Certified Sustainable Tour Operator by the Hawaii Ecotourism Association, a distinction that is good for a two-year period through 2016.

In addition, the company offers submarine tours in Guam, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Atlantis Adventures also owns Honolulu-based Atlantis Navatek Cruises, which offers Hawaii’s smoothest sunset dinner cruise experience along Oahu’s south shore using the state-of-the-art double-hulled Navatek, the only passenger cruise vessel of its kind in the islands. Atlantis Navatek Cruises offers seasonal morning and luncheon whale watch cruises from December to April.

— Find out more:
www.AtlantisAdventures.com

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