Contiki Holidays Announces Adventurer & Filmmaker Céline Cousteau as their Sustainability Partner

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

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TORONTO, April 26 /PRNewswire/ - In celebration of Earth Month 2011, Contiki Holidays, (www.contiki.com) the world's leading youth travel company, is excited to announce its partnership with environmentalist, adventurer and world explorer, Céline Cousteau. Céline is the granddaughter of world renowned Jacques Cousteau and the daughter of ocean explorer and filmmaker, Jean-Michel Cousteau.

Contiki Holidays has joined with Cousteau to help further educate their 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 Céline's guidance to continue building upon the achievements of their current Conservation Foundation projects.

"I look forward to collaborating with Contiki Holidays, their 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 Céline. "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', Céline's (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.  Céline has hosted ocean documentaries for both PBS and The Discovery Channel.

Contiki Holidays is a founding member of the Travel Corporation Conservation Foundation (www.ttcconservationfoundation.com). The Conservation Foundation is a not-for-profit organization 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.  From contributing to young environmentalists in their hands-on work protecting the world's second largest barrier reef via the Mesoamerican Reef Leadership program (www.marleaders.org) to funding Oceana's (www.eu.oceana.org) valuable research work in the Mediterranean.

"We are looking forward to working with Céline in her role as Contiki's Sustainability Partner, as she continues the meaningful work of the Cousteau legacy through environmental education," said David Hosking, Global CEO of Contiki Holidays. "As a documentary filmmaker and gifted storyteller, Céline 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 their 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 Céline Cousteau's message for Contiki travellers at www.contiki.com/celinecousteau

About Contiki Holidays:

Contiki has inspired students and young professionals, 18 - 35 year olds to travel to the world's most fantastic destinations for 49 years. The trips are hassle-free and include the perfect mix of sightseeing, culture and free time. Choose from over 190 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada & the USA. For more information, visit www.Contiki.com

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SOURCE The Travel Corporation