🌊 GapEdu Joins Forces with OACM to Protect Oceans and Advance Sustainable Tourism

30 August 2025 – Finland / Croatia

GapEdu is proud to announce a new partnership with the Ocean Alliance Conservation Members (OACM), reinforcing our shared commitment to protecting marine and freshwater ecosystems while driving sustainable tourism worldwide.

What This Partnership Means

Through this collaboration, GapEdu will:

• 🌍 Engage governments, corporations, and international organizations to champion ocean and freshwater conservation.

• 🛠️ Support and develop OACM’s strategies and initiatives to strengthen global impact.

• 🏳️ Promote and expand the WhiteFlag Initiative — the world’s only global certification that marks safe marine and freshwater areas free from plastic.

Voices from the Partnership

“This collaboration reflects GapEdu’s commitment to sustainability and global partnerships, allowing us to make a real difference in protecting our oceans and freshwater systems.”
— Hanni Tran, Founder of GapEdu

“Our goal is not only to raise awareness but also to deliver measurable business results for our partners, ensuring that conservation and commercial success go hand in hand.”
— Jyrki Nilson, CEO & Co-Founder of GapEdu

“The OACM is delighted to welcome GapEdu as a strategic partner. Their expertise in education, stakeholder engagement, and global advocacy will strengthen our ability to expand the WhiteFlag Initiative and mobilize action at every level. Together, we will ensure that conservation is not just a vision, but a concrete reality for future generations.”
— Kristijan Curavić, President of OACM

Why It Matters for Tourism Sustainability

Tourism generates over 10% of global GDP and supports 1 in 10 jobs worldwide (UN Tourism, 2024). Much of this comes from ocean-related tourism—beaches, diving, cruises, and coastal experiences that depend on healthy marine ecosystems.

Yet these ecosystems are under growing pressure:

• 🌐 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year (World Bank).

• 🌊 26 million jobs depend on coastal and marine tourism (OECD).

The stakes are environmental, economic, and social.

By linking education, business strategy, and conservation, the GapEdu–OACM partnership shows that sustainable tourism and environmental protection can reinforce each other. The WhiteFlag Initiative gives destinations a trusted global standard—ensuring waters are safe, plastic-free, and future-ready.

Looking Ahead

This partnership marks a milestone in GapEdu’s mission: integrating sustainability into industries that shape our future and proving that conservation and commerce can thrive together.

👉 Learn more about the Ocean Alliance Conservation Members (OACM) and the WhiteFlag Initiative

— The GapEdu Team