New York, NY, November 27, 2007 – Lindblad Expeditions (LEX), the expedition travel pioneer, has announced an unprecedented drive to raise funds and awareness around conservation efforts in the Galápagos Islands, Baja California and Central America. This campaign – TRAVEL NOW, FOR THE FUTURE – highlights Lindblad Expeditions’ organizational commitment to preserving the planet’s wild and wonderful places through responsible tourism and long-term stewardship.
Launching today with a full page announcement in the NY Times, Lindblad Expeditions is extending its commitment to long term support of conservation in the Gálapagos Islands, Baja California and Central America by donating $250 per guest to local conservation initiatives. To qualify for the donation program, guests must book their travel between November 20, 2007 and January 31, 2008 and travel must be completed before June 30, 2008. All donations resulting from this offer will be made in the name of the guest who books travel. And, in certain destinations, local NGOs will match that contribution –increasing the impact of the funds donated in the name of Lindblad guests.
The TRAVEL NOW, FOR THE FUTURE campaign is an extension of Lindblad Expeditions’ ongoing efforts to inform and educate travelers about global conservation efforts. Through establishing local relationships and collaborating with respected conservation partners, Lindblad Expeditions has built a robust travel philanthropy program which supports environmental education, conservation and community projects. Lindblad Expeditions’ conservation efforts have resulted in tangible results – in the past 10 years alone, the company, with its guests, has raised more than $5 million for global environmental issues. Local organizations with whom the company has in-depth working relationships include the Galápagos National Park , the Charles Darwin Research Station, the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature and MarViva. For information on Lindblad’s grant-making history with these organizations, please visit www.expeditions.com/conservation.
Lindblad Expeditions’ spirit of philanthropy reflects the core values of Sven-Olof Lindblad, the company’s founder and president. Earlier this year, Lindblad accepted the 2007 Tourism for Tomorrow Global Tourism Business Award, presented annually by the World Travel & Tourism Council, on his company’s behalf. The coveted award recognizes Lindblad Expeditions for “outstanding leadership as a global model for environmental stewardship.”
Said Lindblad, “I’ve spent a lifetime in search of places that provide exciting, inspiring and meaningful travel and I know first-hand how important it is to safeguard their future. I can’t think of a better gift to our guests than the gift of joining us in the long term preservation of these wild and wonderful places that need support, more now than ever.”
TRAVEL NOW, FOR THE FUTURE is just one arm of Lindblad Expeditions’ new initiatives to raise awareness and money for conservation and sustainable tourism projects around the world. Earlier this year, Lindblad Expeditions launched a new joint Fund for Exploration and Conservation in conjunction with its partner, the National Geographic Society.
For 50 years, Lindblad Expeditions has explored the world’s wildest places, discovering, with curious travelers, the wonder and joy of inspiring, meaningful travel aboard our expedition ships. The company believes conservation and environmental efforts, such as this campaign will enable travelers to continue to explore these beautiful places of wonder for many more years. Additional information about TRAVEL NOW, FOR THE FUTURE can be found on Lindblad’s website (www.expeditions.com/future).
About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is an expedition travel company providing voyages in the Galápagos, Antarctica, Baja California, Alaska, the Arctic, and beyond. Sven Lindblad has received international recognition, including the 2007 Global Tourism Business Award, 2007 Seafood Champion Award, U.N. ProgrammeGlobal 500 Award, and recognition from HRH, Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg for his dedication to the conservation and environmental stewardship of the Galápagos archipelago. The company has also been named #1 Small-Ship Cruise Line (Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Value Awards 2006); “The Best Ships in the World” and “The Best Itineraries” (Condé Nast Traveler: Truth in Travel Awards 2006).
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