As part of its newly-formed partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Seabourn is hosting prominent world heritage experts for its Seabourn Conversations enrichment and special guest entertainment program. Conversation topics will include culture, heritage, history and the importance of sustainable tourism in preserving World Heritage Sites.
Sharing their insights onboard Seabourn vessels over the next year-and-a-half will be a host of UNESCO advisors and consultants. UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
“UNESCO’s vital role in encouraging cultural understanding and preservation will make for fascinating conversation on Seabourn vessels around the world,” said John Delaney, Seabourn’s senior vice president, 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 our guests about such important topics as sustainable tourism, culture and heritage.”
There are more than a dozen UNESCO speakers scheduled to take part in Seabourn Conversations on voyages around the world through fall and the year ahead. A sampling includes: Jacinta Nzioka, (Seabourn Sojourn, December 13, 2014) the Director of Marketing at the Kenya Tourist Board; Dr. Carol Westrik, author of “The Future of World Heritage” for UNESCO’s 40th anniversary, and Dr. Juan Jose Negro, an internationally renowned speaker on natural heritage and director of the Doñana Biological Station in Spain (Seabourn Quest, May 12, 2015); and Dr. Ray Bondin (Seabourn Sojourn, May 31, 2015), who has extensive experience in the rehabilitation of heritage sites and served as Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Malta to UNESCO.
Seabourn’s ships circle the globe throughout the year and include more than 150 designated World Heritage Sites in its itineraries. Through its partnership with UNESCO, Seabourn will offer deeper insight and behind-the-scenes information about current and future World Heritage sites and projects. 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.
To view the full list of scheduled UNESCO guest speakers click here.
Click here to read our interview with Vitor Alves, the Hotel Director on Seabourn Sojourn, about his 25 years working on cruise ships and what makes a hospitality career at sea different to one on land.
