Uniworld Boutique River Cruises partners with Barena Association to protect Venetian Salt Marshes

As part of The Travel Corporation (TTC) and led by its not-for-profit foundation Treadright, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is proud to announce a partnership with Venice’s Barena Association to preserve the fragile ecosystem of the Northern Venetian Lagoon, including its unique wetland environment, fauna and flora, and the culture and traditions surrounding the lagoons. In alignment with TTC’s net-zero ambition and Climate Action Plan, TreadRight prioritizes support for nature-based solutions to the climate crisis while helping local communities become more resilient to climate change.

“We at Uniworld have always understood our role as stewards of European riverways, we have a great responsibility to protect Venice’s wetlands and waterways, in addition to showcasing the one-of-a-kind beauty of Venice to our guests,” says Julie Higgins, Sustainability Officer at Uniworld. “Barena’s initiative is crucial to the health of the Venetian ecosystems and aligns with Uniworld’s long-standing commitment to sustainability.”

SOS Barena

Barena Association’s flagship project is “SOS Barena,” which aims to protect and restore sections of the intertidal salt marshes in the Northern Venetian Lagoon, locally known as “Barene.” The lagoon’s unique habitats are rapidly disappearing through erosion, primarily due to human impact. A grant from TreadRight will be instrumental in the construction of up to 150 meters of barriers, called fascines, made with biodegradable material and installed with the support of local fishermen. Once installed, sediment will be pumped between the fascines and the marsh’s edge. These fascines serve to shield the marshes from waves and help root systems develop in the mud, thereby safeguarding the marsh soil from further erosion.

Respecting Venice Through Responsible Tourism

Uniworld offers two itineraries that sail through Venice, including ‘Milan, Venice & The Jewels of Veneto’ as well as a brand-new itinerary for 2025, the ‘Grande Italia,’ which takes travelers through the vibrant cities of Milan, Venice and Rome. Throughout the cruise, guests enjoy the luxurious S.S. La Venezia, which features elegantly designed staterooms and suites outfitted with Fortuny Fabrics, inspired by Venetian aesthetics, along with butler service in top suites, premium liquor and fresh local cuisine sourced daily. The S.S. La Venezia is currently the only cruise ship sailing in the Venetian Lagoon after the city of Venice banned large cruise ships from entering the lagoon in 2020 to better preserve the fragile floating city. Please note that the specific area the Barena Association is working to conserve is not accessible to any guests, due to it being a very sensitive ecosystem.

 Uniworld has also committed to MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® by transforming exploration into positive change, allowing guests to positively engage and give back to the communities, wildlife and land in the destinations they visit. The brand will offer excursion options on most itineraries by 2025 – including onboard the S.S. La Venezia in Venice. Guests can partake in the ‘Rowing Venice’ MAKE TRAVEL MATTER experience, which allows travelers the opportunity to learn Venice’s unique rowing style firsthand through a lesson with Row Venice, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the tradition and empowering female rowers, who are significantly underrepresented. This experience promotes Uniworld’s goal of gender equality while teaching travelers about the culture of Venice in a sustainable and non-harmful way.