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Safe, Sustainable Travel – How will the new travel normal work for our environment?
The past year has definitely been a strange one for us all. Life as we know it has changed for good. Our daily lives, future plans, travel and holiday dreams have all changed in ways we never imagined. For some of us, it was a time of reflection, some sadness, some fear, but we all managed at some stage to find some peace and happiness too.
Reflection about our well-being, seeing how the environment has been positively impacted by the lock downs, connecting with family and friends, even if only virtually and perhaps uniting as a global community, we can’t say it’s been all bad. But moving forward, re-opening our countries and allowing freedom of movement once again – with the ‘new normal’ needs plenty of careful thought and consideration.
PPE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
We need to consider our health, especially now that many of us are returning to work. We need to make sure we are looking after our well-being and we also need to consider our environment. There are new requirements and expectations set in place, but if we are not careful, we will simply create whole new areas of issue, transferring what we have ‘undone’ during lock down to new environmental issues.
The internet is already awash with images of discarded face masks impacting wildlife and marine life. Even as early as February 2020, 70 masks along 100 meters of shoreline were found on a beach clean in Hong Kong and more recently in the Mediterranean, masks have reportedly been seen floating like jellyfish.
Discarded masks may also risk spreading the virus to waste collectors, litter pickers or members of the public who first come across the litter. Let alone the fact that as a mask breaks down over time into millions of particles, the potential is there for those particles to carry chemicals and bacteria up the food chain.
At Secret Paradise Maldives we are firm believers in sustainable travel and also believe that if each one of us takes individual responsibility and educates just one person, messages such as these will filter through to many people.
Picking up a couple of plastic bottles or bags on the beach may seem a tiny gesture given the global plastic crisis but what if every single person on this planet just picked up two pieces of plastic rubbish? Or better still, we individually stopped and considered our actions and disposed of rubbish and waste appropriately in the first place? The problem would pretty much be solved, or very close to it!
However, we are also realists and understand that this is easier said than done. So, we urge our followers, guests and partners to educate just one person about the new normal. Highlight how their actions can protect the environment and also achieve safe, sustainable travel, be that domestic travel or international travel. Ask them to pass their new knowledge on to another person and let the education and results filter through.
HOW TO TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY WITH THE NEW SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Sustainable travel is not just about considering your carbon footprint and who or what will benefit from your tourist dollar, it is also about making considered decisions and green choices when it comes to packing the necessities of travel in the post COVID world.
Face Masks:
Choose reusable masks. They are actually becoming quite a trend with many different designs to choose from. Why not make a fashion statement with them! Let kids wear fun looking masks, like a friend’s daughter who has a big smiley face on hers – it makes her less conscious about wearing it and she remembers to wear it because of the fun reactions she gets.
Keep a few fresh spare masks in different key places, like one in your handbag, one in the car, one at your place of work – this way you are less likely to forget them and need to buy disposable ones.
When travelling consider if you will be able to wash your mask after use. Packing a mask per day may now be like considering how much underwear to pack!
There is also the opportunity to support local businesses and purchase masks locally. Maybe they will become the new holiday gift for family and friends!
Hand Sanitizer:
Washing your hands with soap and water should always be your first option but when you are travelling this may not always be possible.
Many shops are selling handbag size hand sanitizers and once again this means more single use plastic being disposed of. Consider purchasing industrial size hand sanitizer and refill your handy, on the go bottles.
We’ve successfully changed our mind set with water bottles and refilling them so there is no reason we can’t do it with hand sanitizer.
Disinfectant Surface Cleaning Wipes:
Disinfectant wipes are perfect to clean door handles, bathroom taps, AC remote control, toilet handles and more and it’s worth having a pack in your hand luggage.
Ensure to seek out eco-friendly biodegradable wipes and dispose of them responsibly.
Go Digital:
Never has there been a better time to go paperless. Ask for electronic travel documents be they transport related, hotel confirmations or tour and activity bookings. Certainly, if the accommodation provider or tour operator are sustainably minded they will not blink at your request.
Not only will you be helping the environment it will also assist you in maintaining social distancing.
Bring Your Own Toiletries:
We may find that hotel properties find that they need to return to the old practice of single-use toiletries instead of multi-use bottles/containers to minimize the spread of germs.
Therefore rather than rely on hotel-provided toiletries bear the small inconvenience of packing your own or decant from larger size containers you use at home into re-usable travel containers. Or check out the now popular natural, soap/shampoo bars that are available which also have less impact on the environment as they wash away.
TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY AND SAFELY WITH SECRET PARADISE
COVID-19 may have given us many new challenges and considerations to make, even before we leave the comfort of our homes. But this does not mean that you need to compromise on either your safety or on protecting the environment.
It remains about making the right choices and assisting others to do the same. If we all work together sustainable travel and safe travel can work hand in hand, albeit socially distanced!
As with travel in general at this moment in time, regulations and recommendations are constantly changing and evolving so make sure to check out local travel guidelines and listen to the medical experts.
At Secret Paradise we have reviewed all our operational practices to ensure all aspects of guest’s comfort and safety have been accounted for, but without losing the memorable aspects of our experiences and service.
Discover more of The Maldives with www.secretparadise.mv
The 2025 inductees to the prestigious International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) are unique as it is the first time that all members being inducted are women. The Board of Directors of the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame (ISDHF) and the Cayman Islands Ministry and Department of Tourism are pleased to announce and celebrate the new members of the ISDHF on International Women’s Day.
Established by the Cayman Islands Ministry of Tourism in 2000, the ISDHF celebrates dive industry leaders who have contributed to the success of recreational scuba diving worldwide through innovation and advancements made in the areas of dive tourism, equipment design, dive safety, inclusivity, exploration, adventure, innovation and more.
This year’s inductees include Simone Melchoir-Cousteau (France) and Women Divers Hall of Fame (United States of America) as Early Pioneers, Michelle Cove (Bahamas), Anne Hasson (United States of America), and Rosemary E. Lunn (United Kingdom) as Inductees and Hidy Yu Hiu-Tung (Hong Kong) as Trailblazer, which is a new category for the ISDHF. They join other notable women in the industry in the ISDHF including Jill Heinerth (2020), Dr. Eugenie Clark (2010), and Cathy Church (2008).
The 2025 inductees will be formally inducted into the hall of fame at a ceremony in the Cayman Islands on 20 September 2025.
This year’s inductees were selected for their significant contributions to the diving industry:
Simone Melchoir-Cousteau (France)
Simone Melchoir-Cousteau was a pioneering French explorer, widely recognized as the first woman scuba diver and aquanaut, and the beloved wife and partner of legendary oceanographer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau. She was key in his co-invention of the Aqualung, a revolutionary invention that transformed scuba diving, introducing him to the engineer and the funding. Simone witnessed the first successful test of the Aqualung prototype in the Marne River.
She was instrumental in the acquisition of Calypso, the Cousteau family’s famed research vessel, and played a key role in the operation at sea. For the Calypso’s early expeditions, she sold her family jewels and fur coats to purchase fuel and essential navigation instruments for the vessel. She was known as “La Bergere,” the Shepherdess, as she acted as nurse, psychiatrist and mother to the all-male crew for 40 years.
In 1963, Simone made history by becoming the world’s first female aquanaut when she visited the Conshelf II undersea habitat in the Red Sea. Her legacy as a pioneering woman in scuba diving and ocean exploration continues to inspire generations of explorers and conservationists worldwide.
Women Divers Hall of Fame (United States of America)
Dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions of women divers, and supporting the next generation of divers, the Women Divers Hall of Fame™ (WDHOF) is an international, non-profit, professional honor society whose member contributions span a wide variety of fields including: The Arts, Science, Medicine, Exploration & Technology, Underwater Archaeology, Business, Media, Training & Education, Safety, Commercial & Military Diving, Free Diving, and Underwater Sports.
WDHOF inducted its first class of 71 members in 2000 featuring some of the most influential women in diving history, such as Dr. Sylvia Earle, renowned oceanographer, and Dr. Eugenie Clark, famously known as the “Shark Lady,” recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to marine science and exploration. As of 2024 there are 260 members in the Hall, hailing from 30 U.S. states and Territories and 22 countries worldwide. WDHOF Members are selected on an annual basis.
The founders of WDHOF included Jennifer King, founder of the Women’s Scuba Association; Patty Newell Mortara, co-founder of Women Underwater; Carol Rose, President of the Underwater Society of America; Hillary Viders, Ph.D., an award-winning writer and speaker; Capt. Kathy Weydig, Instructor Trainer and Course Director with NAUI and SDI/TDI and Zig Zighan, President of Beneath the Sea, Inc.
Since 2002, WDHOF has awarded $915,000 in scholarships and training grants to support 700 women and men pursuing diving-related careers or advancing their underwater skills. Through their collective efforts, the Women Divers Hall of Fame continues to inspire future generations of divers and leaders in the underwater world.
For profiles of WDHOF members and nomination criteria, visit the website: www.wdhof.org
Michelle Cove (Bahamas)
Michelle Cove was instrumental in developing Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas into one of the Caribbean’s largest dive operations. She secured and grew watersports and diving concessions for major partners like Atlantis Resort, Baha Mar, Carnival Cruise Lines, and private clubs. Under her leadership, the company developed a diverse range of offerings, including SCUBA, SNUBA, SEA TREK, SUB (Submersible Underwater Bubble), snorkeling, watersports, and underwater photography and video, making world-class ocean experiences accessible to visitors worldwide.
A skilled shark dive leader, Michelle is a lifelong shark safety, education, and marine conservation advocate. Her collaboration with the PEW Environmental Group and Bahamas National Trust led to the creation of the Bahamas Shark Sanctuary in 2011, the first of its kind in the Atlantic. She has also been a key advocate in invasive lionfish awareness and eradication efforts, as well as coral conservation, nursery implementation, and out planting initiatives to help restore vital reef ecosystems.
A PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, Michelle has introduced countless divers to the beauty of the Bahamas, inspiring ocean conservation. She was integral in establishing Ocean Watch Bahamas and Children on the Reef organizations focused on educating Bahamian youth about the ocean, fostering careers in the watersports industry and marine conservation.
Michelle’s expertise extends to the film and television industry, where she has trained numerous television and movie personalities to dive and served as a safety diver, on-camera talent, and stunt performer. Her work includes major productions such as James Bond, Into the Blue, Flipper, and projects for Discovery Channel, National Geographic, BBC Natural History Unit, Food Network and History Channel.
Today, Michelle’s company Resort Lifestyle Ltd. owns and operates Albany and Lyford Cay Watersports, offering premier diving, snorkeling, and watersports experiences in the Bahamas.
Anne Hasson (United States of America)
Anne Hasson’s pioneering efforts revolutionized the liveaboard scuba diving industry having launched the renowned Cayman Aggressor in 1984. As Vice President of Aggressor Adventures, Anne oversees the Reservations, Marketing and Advertising departments, maintaining the integrity and image of the forty-one-year-old company’s brand and corporate identity. Today, Aggressor Adventures sets new standards for dive and adventure tourism worldwide.
Under her leadership, Aggressor Adventures has expanded to include 24 international liveaboard dive yachts, signature lodges, bird watching and river cruises, operating in premier locations such as the Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Islands, Galapagos, Egypt, Maldives, and beyond. A passionate advocate for sustainable diving, Anne promotes eco-friendly travel practices to protect marine ecosystems at all Aggressor locations. She is also instrumental in establishing high customer service standards, solidifying Aggressor Adventures as a worldwide leader in the tourism industry.
Anne also serves on the Board of Directors for the Sea of Change Foundation, contributing to global conservation and is an inductee into the Women Divers Hall of Fame (2010).
Rosemary E. Lunn (United Kingdom)
Rosemary E. Lunn is a highly respected figure in the global diving community. Her induction marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first British woman to receive this esteemed honour.
Bringing decades of expertise to her diverse contributions, Rosemary has played a pivotal role in shaping the diving industry. She is a valued professional, prolific journalist, speaker, educator, event organiser, and an advocate for dive safety and education.
An accomplished diving instructor, Rosemary holds certifications as a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, BSAC Advanced Instructor, and a Trimix and CCR diver, with extensive teaching experience in the UK and internationally.
Her influence extends beyond recreational and technical diving—she is the first non-military civilian and first female diver to join the UK Ministry of Defence as part of the Defence Diving Standards Team. As a Senior Diving Standards Inspector, she works alongside serving and former military divers and personnel, to assure and enhance safety protocols for military personnel. She is also an Associate Member of the Royal Navy Clearance Divers Association.
An innovator in technical diving, Rosemary is a co-founder of EUROTEK, Europe’s premier biennial advanced and technical diving symposium, an event she has organised since 2008. She also established TEKDiveUSA, a major meeting in the tech diving calendar, and coordinated Rebreather Forum 3 on behalf of AAUS, DAN, and PADI, advancing safety and innovation in rebreather diving.
In 2022, she launched the Defence Diving Symposium on behalf of the Superintendent of Defence Diving. This annual conference brings together personnel from all facets of military diving to discuss safety, share the latest research, and exchange critical information.
Beyond her work in diving safety, Rosemary is a key industry networker, bridging communities and bringing influential figures together for strategic collaborations. She has served on the Scuba Industries Trade Association (SITA) board and sits on the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG), where she continues to shape industry standards and best practices.
Her outstanding contributions have earned her recognition, including the SSI Platinum Diver Award, and she is an Associate Member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame.
Hidy Yu Hiu-Tung (Hong Kong)
Hidy Yu Hiu-Tung is an acclaimed international actress and model with over 19 years of scuba diving experience, blending her passion for the ocean with a dynamic career in the public eye. As a certified scuba diving instructor, technical diver, and free diver, Hidy Yu has not only mastered the art of underwater exploration but has also become a dedicated advocate for marine conservation.
In 2011, she was appointed the spokeswoman for Miss Scuba International, using her influence to champion the protection of marine ecosystems. Her commitment to ocean advocacy deepened in 2016 when she became an ambassador for the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX), where she continues to deliver compelling talks on marine conservation to international audiences.
Hidy Yu takes direct action in protecting marine environments, having led ghost net cleanup initiatives in Hong Kong since 2019. In 2023, she was named Ghost Net Ambassador for ADEX Singapore and undertook an extraordinary 23-hour non-stop ocean cleanup in Sabah, highlighting her dedication to tangible conservation efforts. Hidy’s contributions to the diving community and environmental protection have earned her several prestigious accolades, including the Industry Advocator Rising Star Award at ADEX China in 2018 and the NAUI Outstanding Service Award in 2021.
In 2024, Hidy Yu co-founded the Bling Bling Ocean Foundation, an organization committed to promoting ocean conservation through charitable initiatives and educational outreach. Leveraging her platform as a public figure, she continually raises awareness on critical environmental issues and organizes regular conservation activities.
Find out more about the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame at isdhf.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/home.
In this exclusive video produced for Scubaverse.com by Jeff Goodman, Scuba Scene’s Boat Manager Elke Bojanowski talks about the luxury vessel and its amenities, the diving itineraries they offer, the exclusive trips they run for shark lovers, new divers, technical and rebreather divers, and more.
Watch our video with Scuba Scene’s General Manager, Ahmed Fadel, talking about the Red Sea liveaboard’s no-nonsense approach to safety here.
To book your next Red Sea dive adventure on with Scuba Scene, visit oysterdiving.com/trip/scuba-scene-red-sea-egypt.
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