Nowadays, a lot of Europeans go on a winter sports vacation. In the Netherlands for example, this number makes 7% of the population, which makes around 900.000 people. In other countries for example Germany or Austria the percentage goes up to 15 or even 36 percent of each’s population.

During the past two decades, the opportunity to “swim with the dolphins” (SWTD) has gained popularity as a tourist activity. In the meantime, knowledge about dolphins and awareness of how they and other marine animals suffer in the name of entertainment (shown in films such as Blackfish). While some countries have forbidden the exhibition of all cetaceans, others, like several cruise ship destinations, have seen a rise in attractions where visitors can not only swim with dolphins but even touch them in petting pools and spend a day as their “trainer."

Divers and snorkelers have experienced the underwater world up close. What makes this underwater world so beautiful are the variety of corals and fish in all shapes and sizes. If you've ever snorkeled, you know this. What you may not know yet, is that the coral reefs are extremely vulnerable organisms.