By
Rebecca Gibson |
Renowned world heritage experts will participate in Seabourn’s onboard Seabourn Conversations programme as part of the line’s newly formed partnership with UNESCO.
More than 12 UNESCO speakers are scheduled to present to guests over the next 18 months, including Jacinta Nzioka, director of marketing at the Kenya Tourist Board, who will sail on Seabourn Sojourn in December 2014. Other participants include Dr. Carol Westrik, author of The Future of World Heritage; Dr. Juan Jose Negro, an internationally-renowned speaker on natural heritage and director of the Doñana Biological Station in Spain, who will sail on Seabourn Quest in May 2015; and Dr. Ray Bondin who has served as Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Malta to UNESCO and will travel on Seabourn Sojourn in May.
Presentation topics will include culture, heritage, history and the importance of sustainable tourism, enabling guests to gain behind-the-scenes information about current and future World Heritage sites and projects.
“UNESCO’s vital role in encouraging cultural understanding and preservation will make for fascinating conversation on Seabourn ships around the world,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “The significance of cultural experiences only continues to grow and we’re excited to welcome those who lend their expertise to UNESCO, to engage with our guests about such important topics as sustainable tourism, culture and heritage.”
As part of Seabourn’s multi-year agreement with UNESCO, the cruise operator aims to encourage support UNESCO’s mission of identifying, safeguarding and promoting unique cultural and natural features around the world.
Since Seabourn was founded, its ships have visited hundreds of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and currently sail to more than 150 designated sites, such as the temple complex of Borobudur on Java, the excavated ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy, and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
In addition, the line has created special World Heritage Discovery Tours with exclusive enhanced content developed in cooperation with UNESCO World Heritage site managers and tour experts. Fares for Seabourn optional excursions that include UNESCO World Heritage Sites will include a small donation to UNESCO’s World Heritage Fund.
A full list of Seabourn's scheduled speakers can be found here.