If you’ve ever travelled to Iceland or seen imagery of this incredible country you will undoubtedly have a strong appreciation of its breathtaking natural beauty and extraordinary diversity of landscapes. Understandably there is a need to protect these fragile natural environments and we are helping to do just that.
Over the years, we here at Discover the World have donated significant funds to conservation projects which underline our responsible attitude to tourism and this year is no different.
We are proud supporters of the Iceland Nature Conservation Association (INCA) which was established in May 1997. It is a conservation NGO, with the primary objective of conserving and protecting the wilderness of Iceland. From the outset, INCA's primary objective was to establish a national park in the highlands, which constitutes some 40% of Iceland's 100.000 square km. The Vatnajokull Glacier Park which encompasses some 15.000 square km of this area was established in June of this year - and is in fact the largest national park in Europe.
INCA has been heavily involved in a diverse range of projects from the debate on the sustainable and wise use of hydroelectric and geothermal resources to calling for a global moratorium on deep sea trawling in the high seas. INCA has also focused on the climate change issue from the outset.
We here at Discover the World are especially interested and supportive of INCA's work in respect of campaigning against whaling, an issue very close to our hearts. We were in fact the first company in the world to operate whale watching tours in Iceland and we believe quite simply that whales are much more valuable alive, in their natural habitat where they rightly belong.
Through the years we have lobbied against whaling, as have many members of the Icelandic travel industry and in 2007, Arni Finnsson, chair of INCA's board, was awarded the Animal Action Award, for their engagement in the conservation of whales. At a time when there is a strong debate within the country we encourage our clients to make their views known locally, in a polite and coherent way.
If you would like to experience the beauty and magnificence of the wild marine life surrounding Iceland then look no further than our whale watching excursions.
Please also visit www.INCA.is if you would like to learn more about INCA’s conservation work in Iceland.
For further details on all our conservation projects we support please click here
Comments