Boot 2008 – A good start into the second "Year of the Dolphin"

2008 is becoming another "Year of the Dolphin". Last year the founding members TUI, the UN- Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (UNEP/CMS) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) launched the "Year of the Dolphin". Since the first year was a great success the founding partners now decided to continue this project for another year.

At the BOOT fair 2008 Andreas Koch, working for the quality and ecological management of TUI Germany, presented a cheque for 17.141 Euro to Robert Hepworth, executive secretary of CMS. The money goes towards the protection of dolphins; it will be specifically used to promote a new international CMS-agreement for the protection of dolphins, small whales and dugongs in the Eastern Atlantic. In 2007 TUI has supported a conference on this topic on Tenerife.

The contribution was raised through the sale of special merchandising products, like base caps, t-shirts and toy dolphins. TUI launched many different special events and activities for the support of the project last year. For example, at the TUI Baadingo Children’s' Clubs, the TUI Family Clubs and Robinson's Roby Clubs "dolphin days" were introduced, on which children an their parents could learn about dolphins and the protection of the seas through games. Furthermore, a brochure was printed in six languages and distributed in 30 countries. This "Dolphin Manual" mainly addresses children and adolescents and tells about the fascinating life of dolphins the dangers dolphins are facing today.

"In 2007 all our partners have participated in the worldwide campaign to educate about dolphins and inform about threats to their lives and habitats. In 2008 we would like to use our powers to actively contribute to research and protective projects for dolphins", Robert Hepworth, CMS executive secretary, stated when accepting the cheque at BOOT fair.

The protection of the environment and the "Year of the Dolphin" was one of the focal points of the TUI Sports Diving presentation at the 2008 BOOT. The environmental section of TUI Germany was represented with their own area at the fair. "With TUI Sports Diving we are closest to the topic, therefore it is important to support this project" Isabell Hasse said. She was responsible for getting ORCA, PADI and Aqua Lung to cooperate last year – thus ensuring the support of three important representatives of the diving business. "We are happy to hear that our partners will continue their support of the project this year and will help us in our efforts for the protection of dolphins", she said.

© 2008 TUI AG