GoPro, the leading action camera brand, has joined forces with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to champion ocean health and climate stability. The event, held from June 20-23 at Ko Tao, Surat Thani, marked GoPro World Ocean Day 2024. This strategic partnership brought together passionate local divers and GoPro enthusiasts from across the Asia-Pacific region, united in their dedication to advancing ocean conservation efforts.
Thailand, known for its stunning marine ecosystems, is committed to sustainable tourism and the preservation of its ocean resources. Ms. Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor, emphasized the importance of storytelling in driving positive change. “We believe that compelling storytelling can drive positive change in daily behaviors to protect our oceans. Actions such as reducing plastic use, supporting sustainable practices, and engaging in beach cleanups are pivotal in preserving our marine environment for future generations,” she stated.
Throughout the four-day event, participants actively engaged in a variety of enriching activities. Immersive GoPro workshops provided attendees with the opportunity to hone their skills in capturing stunning underwater footage, showcasing the intricate beauty of marine ecosystems. The #SeaGlass workshop encouraged creative reuse of marine debris, transforming it into exquisite treasures, promoting responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
Rick Loughery, Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications at GoPro, highlighted the event’s goal: “Our goal with the GoPro World Ocean Day event in Thailand is to inspire responsible travel and ocean conservation. By empowering divers to document and share their underwater experiences, we aim to cultivate a global community committed to safeguarding marine resources.” Participants explored Ko Tao’s pristine waters using HERO12 Black cameras, capturing Thailand’s oceanic beauty and promoting sustainable travel.
As part of this initiative, GoPro partnered with PADI to introduce Thailand’s first-ever PADI Instructor course on Ko Tao. Graduates of this program will be certified to teach the GoPro PADI Distinctive Specialty Course to divers certified by PADI. Lisa Nicklin, Vice President of Growth and Marketing at PADI Worldwide, emphasized the course’s significance: “We developed this course with GoPro to equip scuba divers with skills to capture and share meaningful underwater adventures. Learning to dive is transformative, and learning to document and share content with a GoPro inspires others to do the same, raising awareness and driving action to protect our shared ocean.”
The event also featured the GoPro Asia Best Challenge (GoProABC), inviting adventurers, content creators, and storytellers throughout Asia to submit their best unedited GoPro footage. Submissions are open until July 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. through GoPro.com/ABC. Award winners will be revealed in August 2024 via the GoPro Awards portal. This challenge presents an exciting opportunity to showcase adventures and support ocean conservation.
Let’s celebrate the majesty and fragility of our oceans through the compelling storytelling capabilities of GoPro.
