We engage in local and regional partnerships across all destinations we sail, with an aim to have a net positive impact on the environment and the communities which depend on it. Among these efforts, we have overseen the rehabilitation of the endangered Taricaya turtle population in the Peruvian Amazon and the conservation of manta rays in East Indonesia in partnership with the Indonesian Manta Trust.
A number of destinations visited on Aqua Expeditions’ voyages – including the Spice Islands and the Mekong Delta – are steeped in a rich heritage. This history continues to present itself in fascinating ways, from architecture to traditional festivities. We strive to provide guests authentic experiences during their expeditions and in the process, we help preserve the fine aspects of local culture which have been molded over centuries.
At Fort Belgica in the Spice Islands, guests have the opportunity to witness the Bambu Gila dance performance, a part of our itinerary brought together in collaboration with the local youth. The kora-kora demonstration is another such example, where war canoes welcome Aqua Blu to the harbor at Banda Neira. Over in the Mekong Delta, we work closely with traditional dance troops and musicians, providing them a steady source of income and allowing these arts to live on in Cambodia and Vietnam.
In the Peruvian Amazon, our Aqua Nera and Aria Amazon itineraries include visits to the indigenous communities who reside by the riverbanks. During these excursions, local community members have the opportunity to showcase their handicrafts – rings, bracelets, decorations – which are created using materials found in the forest.
Similarly, in the Mekong delta, our itineraries involve visits to villages renowned for crafts including pottery and smithing. Guests have the opportunity to witness artisans in action, practicing age-old skills which have been passed down over the generations. Shining a spotlight on their works allows such craftsmanship to continue prospering.
In the Mekong delta, we collaborate with transportation cooperatives to sustain local jobs. For example, in Cambodia, we partner with local tuk tuk drivers as part of our city tours that take guests into town. In Vietnam, some of our excursions utilize rickshaws and sampans to show guests around. Our itineraries are curated in a way which provides employment and economic support to the local communities. Similar transport arrangements are made in the Spice Islands in East Indonesia as well, while over in the Peruvian Amazon, we employ local rowers to facilitate our canoe excursions.
