The Reef Atlantis and Blue Tourism

The Reef Atlantis is Paradise Island's to fund the conservation of failing coral reef environments in Bahamian waters through a program called The Blue Project.

Through a partnership with Kerzner Marine Foundation (KMF), Kerzner’s non-profit foundation that fosters the preservation and enhancement of global marine ecosystems through scientific research, education and community outreach, The Reef will be the main driver and debut of an important new concept in consumer travel called Blue Tourism. The concept offers guests of The Reef an opportunity to both interact with and support the ocean through a combination of ocean-based experiences and conservation programs.

Through the combined efforts of The Kerzner Marine Foundation, The Bahamas National Trust, The Nature Conservancy and "BREEF," the first initiative of Blue Tourism, The Blue Project at The Reef will offer the funding to create coral reef conservation efforts around New Providence and Paradise Island as well as support the monitoring of these sites which are in reach of visitation for guests at The Reef and all visitors to The Bahamas.

“We conceived the idea of Blue Tourism as a way of giving back to the ocean and the community in which we operate," said Sol Kerzner, chairman and CEO of Kerzner International. "This  development at Atlantis is a great representation of the ideals and goals at  Kerzner. Scientists funded by the Kerzner Marine Foundation have uncovered two new species of coral living off the coast of Oman, and garnered valuable research about the reefs in the Daymaniyat Islands, which should help our understanding about the survival of reefs throughout the world.  We are really proud to bring elements of this project to The Bahamas and feel that it is a natural extension of the conservation and education programs for which Atlantis is known.  After all, it is quite logical for a destination resort that is built around the ocean to care about the ocean."

Kerzner will kick off The Blue Project with an initial donation of $1 million.  Other partners on The Blue Project initiative include American Express, JetBlue Airways, Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, Melissa & Doug toys, Red Flower and Shoshanna.