More and more organisers of business events are looking for incentive programmes that offer participants an authentic destination experience while also leaving a positive impact on the local community. One such example comes from Dubrovnik. Green Sea Safari is a unique initiative that combines environmental protection, teamwork and time spent in nature, transforming the cleaning of hidden coves and beaches into an experience that participants remember long after their trip has ended.
The project was launched by Dr. Marlena Ćukteraš and Maro Carević with a simple yet ambitious idea, to clean hard-to-reach coves, beaches and islands in the Dubrovnik archipelago of waste, while bringing together science, education, tourism and the active participation of visitors. What began as a local initiative has since become an example of sustainable tourism recognised beyond Croatia's borders.
An Incentive Experience That Leaves a Positive Legacy
Unlike traditional team-building activities, Green Sea Safari allows participants to become an active part of positive change. By boat, they travel to hidden beaches and coves that are often inaccessible by land, where they work together to collect waste from the natural environment.
The programme is not focused solely on cleaning. During the activity, participants learn more about marine ecosystems, the impact of pollution on the Adriatic Sea, and the importance of protecting natural habitats. After the clean-up, there is time for swimming, relaxation and enjoying unspoilt nature, allowing volunteering to naturally become an authentic destination experience. Education, raising awareness, research and nature conservation are integral parts of the programme.
A special value of this concept lies in its ability to bring people together. Colleagues from different countries, local residents, students and other volunteers can all find themselves on the same boat, where their shared goal quickly removes any barriers between them. This is why Green Sea Safari is an excellent choice for organisers who want to offer participants an experience that both strengthens team spirit and contributes to the local community.
Sustainability Proven by Real Results
A project that began as a casual conversation over coffee about marine litter has evolved into years of continuous work, delivering highly measurable results. From the very beginning, it was designed as a sustainable, long-term initiative rather than a one-off event. That is precisely where its strength lies. Instead of occasional clean-up campaigns that remain largely unnoticed, Green Sea Safari has developed a recognisable model that is repeated throughout every season, almost every day, and creates lasting value for the destination.
Dozens of clean-up operations are organised each season, with between 800 and 900 large bags of waste (120 litres each) collected annually. Most of the waste consists of plastic, polystyrene, bottles and other debris that ends up in the sea and along the coastline. When necessary, divers also take part in the operations, removing bulky waste such as car tyres and discarded household appliances from the seabed.
Since 2018, more than 290 clean-up operations have been organised. All collected waste is systematically handed over to the local municipal waste management system, while the project brings together numerous partners from the public, private and civil sectors.
Dubrovnik as a Destination for Sustainable Business Events
The value of Green Sea Safari has also been recognised by international media. The project has been featured in documentaries produced by ARTE.TV, appeared in the television programme Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible, and has reached younger generations of travellers through social media and viral online content.
At the same time, partnerships continue to develop with educational institutions, international organisations and local communities. One example is the involvement of Dr. Marlena Ćukteraš with Friendship Force International, an organisation that promotes cultural exchange, friendship between people and world peace. After speaking at one of its conferences about eco-tourism and leading several workshops for participants, she was invited to join the organisation's Board of Directors.
This experience connects Green Sea Safari to an even broader vision: sustainable development is not only about protecting the environment, but also about connecting people, cultures and communities. In this way, the Dubrovnik project gains an international social dimension that further strengthens its mission.
For organisers of business events, this presents an opportunity to turn their ESG goals into a tangible experience for participants. At a time when sustainability is becoming one of the key criteria when choosing destinations and event programmes, initiatives such as Green Sea Safari demonstrate how business events can leave a lasting positive impact, not only on participants, but also on the destination that hosts them.
