What lies beneath

DeepBlueSee has ambitions to transform the Gulf’s underwater tourism scene

The Gulf is home to some of the world’s most incredible – and Instaworthy – tourism attractions, from architectural feats such as the modern-day Burj Khalifa in Dubai and the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra in Saudi Arabia, to palm-shaped islands, futuristic museums, and so much more. However, developments to date have focused on the land, or on the sea, but few have taken a dive into the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea or Indian Ocean.

While there are diving and snorkelling sites aplenty around the GCC, there are no underwater tourism attractions of note.

One company hoping to change that is UK-headquartered DeepBlueSee, which for the last decade, has worked with government and tourism industry stakeholders around the globe to build artificial reef snorkelling attractions. Its team of experts has been involved in the design, fabrication and installation of more than 2,000 sculptures, establishing new artificial reef eco-system attractions in destinations including Mexico, the Bahamas, the Canary Islands, Bali, the Maldives, Cyprus and the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.

A WIN-WIN FOR ALL

These underwater sculpture attractions deliver significant environmental, media, educational and economic benefits and value for their host location.

Environmental benefits include the creation of an artificial reef, the integration of species-specific habitat spaces and a protective zone for marine species.

They not only remove tourists from natural reefs, which can be left alone and preserved, but create an opportunity to engage visitors, as well as the local community, in conservation.

The educational impact is therefore huge, with the attractions lending themselves to school outreach programmes, eco-art workshops, coral nurseries as part of an ocean conservation centre, online resource development and more.

With DeepBlueSee able to create almost any type of underwater sculpture, from recreations of historical buildings and scenes, to cartoon characters and figures from the modern day, these attractions have visual and photogenic appeal that is highly shareable online and offline, hence untold media and social media value.

The revenue-earning opportunities for destinations are significant too, through private project and coral sponsorship, attraction ticket sales and marine park fees.

“These attractions not only appeal to residents and visitors, but cruise passengers too, so ROI opportunities are significant,” explains DeepBlueSee Co-Founder Yannick Lucas. “Our past projects have delivered substantial benefits to destinations, with their underwater attractions boosting both first-time and repeat visits.”

Responsible And Regenerative

As destinations try to grow their tourism sectors in a responsible and sustainable way, increasing its contribution to GDP while avoiding overtourism and prioritising regenerative projects that aim to reverse damage to the environment, DeepBlueSee, a company dedicated to the enhancement of subaquatic ecosystems, provides a solution. In addition to its attractions promoting new coral life, in support of circular economy concepts the artificial reefs can now be made from compounds derived from recycled waste materials.

DeepBlueSee has partnered with Loughborough University in the UK to develop a series of proprietary materials that are pH neutral, inert in seawater and highly durable, while creating a textured surface for biomass, sponges, and corals to settle and thrive.

This newly developed artificial reef compound significantly reduces the volume of cement, silica, glass fibre and metal rebars in a traditional concrete mix, replacing them with recycled glass, aggregates, and organic waste.

DeepBlueSee works with government departments and local waste management companies to identify and process locally sourced material into the material design. In the Gulf, for example, it would work with airlines and cruise lines at the destination to recycle their waste products to create the compound required to create its local reef attraction.

Gulf Ambitions

Lucas says DeepBlueSee’s artificial reef snorkelling attractions tick all the right boxes for destinations in the Gulf.

“Firstly, we are creating an attraction that is new to the region, with no underwater tourism offering of its kind currently developed,” he says.

“Secondly, with many Gulf destinations looking to tell the story of their culture and history, we can create this under the water with artistic interpretations of its pearldiving history, for example.

“Other ideas include Islamic peace gardens, Arabesque cloisters, contemporary souks, or traditional fountains; the possibilities are endless.

“Of course, the GCC is also known for its innovation and ambition, developing cutting-edge projects that push the boundaries and are world firsts.

“We embrace this avant-garde approach and would welcome the opportunity to create something out of this world.”

DeepBlueSee is also keen to involve local artists in the creative process, while schools and universities can get on board by monitoring the attraction’s positive impact on the marine environment.

“Our mission is to empower coastal communities to harness the value of their ocean resource, and where better than the GCC, known for its visionary governments who understand the value of protecting the land and the sea as the foundation of sustainable tourism development, mindful of leaving a legacy for generations to come,” says Lucas.

“We are looking to work with stakeholders in the Gulf who share our vision for the protection of biodiversity, recovery of marine ecosystems, environmental awareness, education of the public and the establishment of marine protected areas.”

The UN’s Climate Crisis ‘Code Red Emergency’ has highlighted yet again the need for a global response to combat what is undoubtable the greatest threat to human health, welfare, and security. While this impending crisis has been well known for four decades, politics and industry lobbying have led a constant misinformation campaign, dislodging the facts, misguiding the solutions and ‘greenwashing’ their efforts.

We are at this crossroads now because of their delay tactics.

Those industries and corporations that started their efforts early have made substantial progress, and their efforts are being well rewarded.

In comparison, those beginning that journey are now frantic in their efforts, under enormous pressure to change or fail completely.

The travel and tourism industry is in this same boat, and those with real solutions will rise faster; others will fail and disappear from view.

This is not the time for incremental changes, but for totally re-thinking how solutions are to be applied in a five-year window, starting with ‘quick-fixes’ this year, and an implementation plan to achieve the needed results if the worst effects of climate change and ecological disasters are to be avoided.

The now well-publicised ESG (Environmental & Social Governance) framework gives the clue as to where to start – Governance: understanding the full range of your impact. Every government and company works within well-developed financial governance, but few have actually bothered to measure the rest of their impacts. This can only be driven by the boards of companies, as company performance now needs to measure all its impacts, and not only it’s financial returns.

TODAY’S REALITY

If the warnings from nearly two decades ago had been heeded, and the ‘Inconvenient Truth’ (Al Gore – 2006) had been taken seriously, we would not be at the critical stage we are in.

If warnings from science had been heeded 30 or even 20 years ago, it is likely we would now be moving out of the crisis, and not deeper into it. Eight of the 10 hottest years on record have occurred since 2000, with six of them recorded in the last 10 years.

Since 2000, approximately 60% of the world’s fish biomass has been removed from oceans, leaving 40% to feed us and our children.

As in indicator of the level of destruction to natural environments, the extinction rate of species is at 150 species per day.

An example being the African Elephant, with 86% of the population lost in three decades, 25% of them in just the last 10 years.

Within the GCC an estimated 80% of wildlife has disappeared in the last 40 years, (with some noticeable local government exceptions in the last 10 years), with desertification advancing at increasing rates across the region, a combination of climate change, over-grazing, over-use of water reserves and habitat removal.

Recently the World Economic Forum recorded the biggest concerns of the world’s political and business leadership for the next 10 years.

Five of the 10 highest greatest threats are environmental and climate action failure was the biggest concern.

WHO NEEDS TO BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION?

Every industry, and in particular, travel and tourism, needs to urgently create solutions within individual businesses to reduce their C-footprint.

The value chain of travel and tourism, from airlines to the construction of tourist infrastructure and facilities, from accommodation construction and hotel operators to tourism transportation and tour services, needs to consolidate and control their own businesses, know their impacts, and have a plan to meet the deadlines and targets.

And to be clear, it is not only the C-footprint that needs addressing, but the effort needed to ensure natural habitats and biodiversity is conserved, as these are the only buffers which protect us from disasters and have the ability to repair the damage being done, while absorbing the carbon we continue to produce.

Governments have a special leadership role as their rulings impact corporations and businesses, preventing ‘bad actors’ and closing down the antienvironmental lobby.

As an example: unless a government regulates (beyond nice-reading guidelines) that all timber importation must be from certified renewable forests, then one or two suppliers may do the right thing; but while their competitors ignore the guidelines they cannot compete and ultimately the whole industry carries on business as usual – the net result is nothing changes.

Corporate Responses To Challenges

Almost every company globally, but especially those in the energy, construction, transportation, tourism, financial and consumer services, are under scrutiny and pressure from increasing legislation on sustainability and governance reporting. Tourism is reliant and dependent on each of these sectors. The actions taken by governments are based on their international agreements and commitments.

They direct the movement towards sustainable development through changes in legislation, issuance of new regulation, and the setting of new and updated standards for the activities conducted by society and industry.

Individual companies are required to respond, and how they respond will determine their success, as their customers respond to their increased commitments to sustainability. To encourage compliance governments would typically provide incentives, awards or tax exemptions for those who meet new regulations, (or support new start-ups that meet the guidelines).

Equally fines, penalties and increased tax burden is placed on those not actively adapting. Most of the world’s leading banks and investment funds (including the World Bank) are changing policy due to new laws and scrutiny and have ceased approving loans to companies that contribute to climate-change, and do not constructively demonstrate alignment to ESG principles (this includes companies such as Deutsche Bank, Blackrock, and Standard Chartered, etc).

At the same time many businesses are moving towards ethical production and organic sourced products as consumer awareness shifts to support visibility and sustainability in the products they purchase. There are hundreds of examples of consumers changing to organic, ethical and lowimpact products. The best example is Tesla, which is now worth more than Ford and General Motors combined. Consumers are moving to reduce their own environmental impacts.

How To Start The Process

Organisations need to prioritise efforts to achieve ESG compliance. This has become an overriding commercial, brand and business issue for most companies, however for many the topic seems complex and unattainable.

Governance is critical, and sustainability efforts must be data-driven and measurable. Understanding what your impact is begins the journey of where you need to be.

For public and private organisations sustainability is prioritised according to impact, urgency and understanding the consequences of their products and services on the environment.

In order to be effective, real changes to environmental impacts of a business need to follow a framework that prioritises the actions required to meet sustainability principles and legislation. Many major companies hide their real impacts under the ‘CSR’ label, resulting in ineffective practices, and ultimately reputational damage from ‘Greenwashing’ claims.

Some corporations, destinations and businesses have adopted various ‘Green Certification’ platforms to understand what they need to do to enhance their sustainability image. While some of these platforms are very effective, many are little more than a marketing tool and without substance or credibility. Effective certifications require real commitment, data and board-level KPIs exerted over years, but are highly effective and many reducing costs while providing great operational control and reputational boost. The over-arching advice here is get sustainability out of the PR department – it is needed in the boardroom and operations across the whole company.

Gaining Control Of Environmental Impacts

Governance: understand what you consume – power, water, resources (fuel, F&B supplies, operating equipment, consumables, plastics, etc.) Use available tools to calculate your carbon footprint or utilise some of the very good certification systems that can do it for you. Measure your waste: understand how and where your operations produce waste-water, landfill and recyclable materials. Change how you purchase: in your procurement process, set standards and engage those suppliers that can provide you with what you need. Are you buying certified and ethical products from ethical suppliers? There is little point in going to the effort of enhancing your sustainability when, as as an example, your kitchen is serving shark-fin soup, or housekeeping wraps everything in miles of plastic, or your furniture is made from illegally logged forests. At this point you are ready to study what CSR programme would capitalise on your strengths. Make this commitment long-term, effective and resilient.

The Importance Of Nature Conservation In Combatting The Effects Of Climate Change

It is the responsibility of every government to protect a viable sample of its original native habitats and secure the nation’s biodiversity (UNEP). Nations leading biodiversity and nature protection conserve up to 50% of their land area. These countries include Bhutan (51%), Venezuela (54%), Slovenia (53%), and Costa Rica (25%) as a small island state. The global average is 10%.

In addition to these leaders, it is not surprising that countries with superior environmental protection are Finland, Sweden and Iceland because they have the largest protected areas.

Countries including Niger, Somalia and Madagascar have the worst records for environmental protection and animal welfare, however, many countries such as China and Vietnam and are making concerted efforts to improve their protections.

A special note should be on Malaysia where over the past 15 years, the government has sanctioned nearly 30% loss of its natural forests. Logging has been the prime cause of deforestation and this is a prime example of how commercial interests, particularly Palm Oil producers lobbying expansion, have been at the expense of the environment and biodiversity.

Since 2010 there has been a 42% increase in protected areas, including 22.5 million km2 (16.64%) of land and inland water ecosystems, and 28.1 million km2 (10.74%) of coastal waters. Most protected areas also protect significantly higher concentrations of biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems

Despite this, overall damage to ecosystems outside of protected areas has significantly increased, as over-exploitation has switched to unprotected areas. For this reason, conservation needs to be implemented at a more general level across wider sectors and industries to ensure overexploitation and unsustainable practices do not exist within a nations’ boundaries.

Conservation practices protect what are widely known as ‘nature-services’. These are the natural processes and cycles performed by ecosystems, which buffer environments from sudden (and disastrous) changes. Diverse and natural-state habitats are self-regulating, stable and ‘free’. They recover and regenerate faster than man-made environments; they form the greatest carbon sequestration ‘sinks’, combating climatechange; they maintain biodiversity and provide regeneration sources for sustainably managed supply; and they buffer human induced damage, pollution and waste production.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE CONSERVATION AND AREAS OF ‘NATURAL BEAUTY’ IN TOURISM

Without any doubt, the greatest trend in tourism (especially leisure) is the demand for experiencing a destination's areas of natural beauty, wilderness and wildlife areas. These areas drive nature, adventure, ecotourism, wellness and high-end luxury ‘soft’ adventure visitation. They are the primary USPs for destinations in their marketing; a trend that has accelerated notably since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Worldwide organisations UNEP and IUCN maintain and monitor global records on nationally proclaimed protected areas. Here, standards of conservation practice and management are reported on, and the tourism industry should focus on supporting those tourism companies which operate within protected areas.

Early conservationists, recognising the changes, set aside large and (now) valuable land and marine tracks. These pioneering efforts created some of the world-renowned wildlife reserves in existence today. These led to a deeper and wider appreciation of the value of ecosystems and habitats and the environmental services imparted by these habitats.

Tour operators, wholesalers, hotel and resort operators, and DMCs should support destinations where tourism makes a direct contribution to conservation and community-based development, rather than those which makes use of, but contribute nothing to the destination’s natural areas and community culture.

Over the past 150 years, human society has significantly disrupted marine and terrestrial ‘earthscapes’. It is essential that protected areas are expanded and made productive in a sustainable manner and the travel and tourism industry across its influential value-chain, has a vital role to play, while empowering the people and cultures dependent on them.

DID YOU KNOW?

Dubai sold as many room nights in 2021 as London, Paris and Oslo combined. The emirate also accounted for 1% of all room nights sold globally. The 2021 edition of the annual Dubai International Visitor Survey (DIVS) reported a net destination satisfaction score of 99.9%, which equalled its best-ever result. Dubai's net promoter score reached a record 99.9% in 2021, up from 99.4% in 2020.

24mn

The number of visits to Expo 2020 Dubai

55.1mn

Projected passenger traffic at Dubai International (DXB) in 2022

7.28mn

Overnight visitors to Dubai in 2021 (+32% yoy)

$72bn

Travel and tourism contribution to UAE GDP by 2027 (12.4% of GDP)