Ønsker du lidt mere pålidelig varme end den danske sommer kan levere? Og leder du stadig efter en spændende rejse i sommerferien?
Så kunne det måske friste med en svømmetur i det Caribiske Hav i nærkontakt med verdens største fiskeart.
Det er der rig mulighed for, når den årlige Whale Shark Festival åbner for tiende år i træk.
Det foregår i Mexico ved øen Isla de Mujeres ud for turistbyen Cancún på den østlige side af den mexicanske Yucatanhalvø.
Festivalen finder sted fra d. 20. til d. 23. juli.
Hvalhajen kan blive op til 13 meter lang og veje 21 ton, så det kan godt være noget af en oplevelse at klappe den på ryggen.
Ifølge arrangørerne er formålet med festivalen at skabe opmærksomhed om bevarelse af det kæmpemæssige havdyr, der er en truet dyreart.
Og jubilæet fejres i 2017, der af FN er blevet udnævnt til internationalt år for bæredygtig turisme.
Effort to raise awareness
Det fremgår af festivalens hjemmeside:
The Whale Shark Festival is a concerted effort to raise awareness of the need to preserve the area’s marine ecosystem. It is part of the second largest barrier reef on the planet, and serves as the nursery of the Caribbean and the migratory path of whale sharks as well as sea turtles, water foul and game fishes.
“Sustainable eco-tourism engages guests in the effort to preserve the indigenous culture of Isla Mujeres, their way of life and the marine environment,” said John Vater, who co-founded Ceviche Tours with his wife, Adriana, and longtime friend and Isla Mujeres native Louis Refugo “Cuco” Sanchez and his family.
“Fishing was the key industry for local Islanders; it’s how they eat, how they make money. We work with them helping to promote environmental preservation and sustainable eco-tourism as the future for the Island’s people and the economy to sustain Isla Mujeres for generations to come.”
Beauty and culture of Isla Mujeres
Her lidt mere fra hjemmesiden om årets festival:
Celebrating the beauty and culture of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, the Isla Mujeres Department of Tourism, with ecotourism company and international Festival sponsor Ceviche Tours, announce the dates for the 10th annual Whale Shark Festival, a cultural extravaganza showcasing the achievements, traditions and environmental splendor of the island.
The Festival will be held July 20-23, 2017 in Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico, a short trip from Cancun International Airport. Isla Mujeres was honored by the Mexico Tourism Board recently as a "Pueblo Magico" (magical village) destination.
Last year thousands of people attended the family-friendly Whale Shark Festival, where guests can swim with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean and an endangered species. Isla Mujeres is the home to the largest aggregation of whale sharks in the world. They can also join in traditional dancing, enjoy local food and work by local artisans, visit the turtle farm, snorkel and dive the reefs surrounding the island and more.
Featured at the Festival will be Ch'ooj Ajauil, an organization dedicated to the monitoring, study and conservation of the pelagic organisms in the Mexican Atlantic; and Amigos de Isla Contoy, a 501c3 non-profit working to advance education on sustainable marine conservation and ecotourism in the region.
Fun for the Whole Family
The 10th annual Whale Shark Festival kicks off with a parade on Thursday, July 20. Following will be activities for children such as sand sculpting events and crafting fun. Exhibitions showcasing the beauty of the island will feature presentations by marine biologists, whale shark murals, photography and local handcrafted works of art.
