Parley for the Oceans x Belmond
BORN OUT OF A MUTUAL LOVE FOR THE OCEANS
Belmond and Parley for the Oceans are proud to collaborate on a multiyear partnership to protect the oceans through education and conservation, setting a new standard for the hospitality industry. Working across several properties around the globe, the collaboration includes locally tailored sustainability initiatives, ocean education to inspire a network of Ocean Guardians and scientific research projects that harness community conservation to support native biodiversity.
Our Current Projects
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
Ocean Guardians
The starting point for Parley is in the local community, creating a team of Ocean Guardians to oversee a range of initiatives. At Maroma in Mexico, a series of immersive workshops were held which placed local voices at the forefront of ocean conservation efforts and equipped people with the knowledge of the incredible biodiversity found along the Riviera Maya.
Map2Adapt
Map2Adapt blended community engagement with education and cutting-edge scientific research, creating a locally embedded project with global significance. The Mesoamerican Reef, which runs just off the coastline of Maroma, is the largest barrier reef in the Northern Hemisphere. A new survey focused on understanding the health of this fragile but mighty ecosystem.
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Beach Cleanups
The first beach cleanup was held in December 2024 on Copacabana Beach, bringing together employees and collaborators to learn about the local ecosystem and the potential for impact through a hands-on beach cleanup. The second event took place in late February 2025, marking a continued commitment to ocean awareness and protection.
Expeditions to the Cagarras Islands
The Copacabana Palace team participated in an expedition to the Cagarras Islands, a vital marine reserve in Rio. The uninhabited islands provide a sanctuary for seabirds, marine mammals and vibrant coral reefs but, like many marine ecosystems, are threatened by plastic pollution and human activity. It gave participants a first-hand opportunity to understand the importance of protecting this diverse habitat, the goal being to inspire hope and re-establish human connection with nature.
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Rio de Janeiro
Rio Carnival
In 2025, we partnered with Parley for the annual Copa Ball with a new theme: Infinite Ocean Blue. Guests could visit an immersive Parley space, experiencing a multimedia installation designed to raise awareness of the vital importance of ocean conservation. All décor and proceeds were donated to “Entre o Céu e a Favela,” a local organisation dedicated to promoting social inclusion, economic development and environmental responsibility in Rio's favelas.
Photography Exhibition
The hotel also hosted an exhibition titled Oceans, Climate, Life: Celebrating Ocean Beauty. This project transformed eight windows of the hotel to show the work of four Brazilian photographers: Rodrigo Thome, Athila Bertoncini, Denise Greco and Paula Vianna. It highlighted Parley's mission to inspire action and solutions to the critical challenges facing our oceans and challenged viewers to participate in preserving their future.