LONDON, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- The Granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau, Legendary Oceanographer, Unites With the World's Leading Youth Travel Company to Support Ocean Conservation Initiatives

In celebration of Earth Month 2011, Contiki Holidays, ( http://www.contiki.co.uk) the world's leading youth travel company, is excited to announce its partnership with environmentalist, adventurer and world explorer, Celine Cousteau. Celine is the granddaughter of world renowned Jacques Cousteau and the daughter of ocean explorer and filmmaker, Jean-Michel Cousteau.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/contiki/48907/

Contiki Holidays has joined with Cousteau to help further educate its travellers and staff about environmental issues, particularly those affecting marine ecosystems. United through common goals of sustainable conservation and ocean advocacy, Contiki will work with Celine's guidance to continue building upon the achievements of its current Conservation Foundation projects.

"I look forward to collaborating with Contiki Holidays, its team and travellers, who are part of the new generation of active citizens making a difference by understanding and protecting the Earth's resources," said Celine. "The health of our fragile oceans are key to the well-being of our planet as a whole and Contiki's choice to help protect the marine environment is a cause which deeply resonates with me."

As an 'oceanaut', Celine's (http://www.celinecousteau.com) frequent global travels have seen her embarking on expeditions to the Peruvian Amazon, following the grey whale migration from Baja, California to Alaska, and researching shark species on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. She is a passionate spokesperson and expedition member for her father's non-profit organization, Ocean Futures Society, whose mission is to educate responsible citizens and to raise awareness of ocean protection. Celine has hosted ocean documentaries for both PBS and The Discovery Channel.

Contiki Holidays is a founding member of the Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation (http://www.ttcconservationfoundation.com). The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation and supports work that fosters sustainable tourism and protects culturally and ecologically sensitive areas around the world. In 2011, Contiki Holidays is actively supporting two projects involved in the critical task of marine protection: contributing to young environmentalists in their hands-on work protecting the world's second largest barrier reef via the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership programme (http://www.marleaders.org), and funding Oceana's (http://eu.oceana.org/en) valuable research work in the Mediterranean.

"We are looking forward to working with Celine in her role as Contiki's Sustainability Partner, as she continues the meaningful work of the Cousteau legacy through environmental education," said David Hosking, Managing Director of Contiki Holidays. "As a documentary filmmaker and gifted storyteller, Celine is an inspiring role model and has a fantastic ability to connect with people from diverse cultures. It's through these stories that she educates and encourages individuals to become responsible global citizens, and to better understand their own natural environments."

For the next three years, Cousteau will interact with Contiki's young travellers and team, spreading her word through social media channels like Facebook and Twitter, as well as communicating via video updates on Contiki's website and YouTube channel. Contiki is also proud to support Cousteau's initiatives, including sponsoring her upcoming Ocean Inspiration: A tribute to Jacques Cousteau's 100th anniversary gala fundraiser and public forum in New York City and Washington, DC.

See Cousteau's message for Contiki travellers at http://www.contiki.co.uk/celinecousteau

About Contiki Holidays:

Contiki has inspired 18-35-year-olds to travel to the world's most fantastic destinations for 50 years. The trips are hassle-free and include the perfect mix of sightseeing, culture and free time. Travellers can choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. For more information, please visit http://www.contiki.co.uk

    For media information and images:

    Caroline Calvert
    PR Director, UK
    Contiki Holidays
    T: +44(0)20-7201-3505
    E: caroline.calvert@bookttcuk.com

SOURCE Contiki Holidays