Sir Richard Branson led an exploration of the Great Blue Hole, Belize to collect data on climate change.
This will enhance the mapping of the hole's unique and largely unknown geographical features and hep to safeguard globally significant marine assets.
The research will also be valuable in unlocking the key to sustaining the world's oceans and preserving Belize's UNESCO protected barrier reef.
This has been removed from the list of threatened World Heritage Sites following Belize's efforts to conserve and protect it.
The Belize government is also working to phase out single-use disposable bags, plastic food utensils and single-use disposable Styrofoam by April 2019.
This initiative is a necessary measure to ensure the continued protection of Belize's environment, including the Belize Barrier Reef, one of the main draws to visitors travelling to Belize.
For 2019, those in search of a holiday destination making strides in sustainability can explore the natural sites of Belize, including the Great Blue Hole.
The country also boasts the highest population of jaguars on the planet, unexplored rainforest, stunning nature reserves home to 500+ species of birds as well as ancient remains of the Mayan civilisation and indigenous groups.
The diversity in culture and natural wealth are so astounding that the Government of Belize has set aside 28% of national territory to ensure preservation of the landscapes.
The Belize Tourism Board has highlighted its top picks for 2019:
Flights over the Great Blue Hole
With its diving and snorkelling sites, the Blue Hole is home to hundreds of corals and marine species.
Spanning more than 300 metres wide and 125 metres deep and visible from space, this world-famous underwater site is located 46 miles off the coast of Belize.
The mysterious hole is the largest naturally formed underwater hole on earth.
Tropic Air offers scheduled flights on from San Pedro and Belize City. Prices start from £155.00 per person.
www.tropicair.com/tours/blue-hole-flyover-with-tropic-air/
Maya Island Air also offers flights over the Great Blue Hole.
www.mayaislandair.com/the-great-blue-hole-tour
Jaguar Tracking
Founded in 1990 as the world's first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary is regarded as a premier jaguar preservation site.
Located in south-central Belize, the reserve spans over 128,000 acres of rainforest and makes Belize the most jaguar-populated country on the planet.
The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary
To try and get a glimpse of a jaguar, puma, ocelot, tapir and some of the 300 different species of birds that call Cockscomb home, visitors can hike through the nature trails and take a swim in one of the spectacular waterfalls on a guided tour of the sanctuary.
www.barefootservicesbelize.com/tour-cockscomb-basin-wildlife-preserve
Snorkel on the world's second largest Barrier Reef
Home to the world's second largest barrier reef, the Belizean Barrier Reef has an abundance of marine-life.
Snorkelling the Hol Chan Marine Reserve off the Ambergris Caye provides the chance to be experience this underwater world.
A half-day snorkelling trip of Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley is available with Seaduced by Belize
www.seaducedbybelize.com/half-day-hol-chan-and-shark-ray-alley-snorkeling
From schools of fish, to turtles and even the occasional nurse shark, there's so much going on underwater and there's ample opportunity to explore the protected reefs and atolls.
The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve
The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, in the Cayo District of Belize, is a landscape of rolling pine forest and spectacular granite hillsides and is home to orchids, ferns and many endangered bird species such as the orange-breasted falcon and the king vulture.
Visitors to the reserve have opportunities to hike, swim and spot wildlife and venture inside the Rio Frio Cave, a natural attraction with a 65-foot arch at its opening.
www.belizeinlandexpeditions.com/mountain-pine-ridge-tour
Ancient Mayan Cities
The jewel of the ancient Maya world, Belize is home to the remains of the sacred temples, palaces and pyramids that once supported the two million inhabitants of the extinct civilisation.
The west of Belize is where visitors get a sense on the country's Mayan heritage.
From here, visitors can discover the largest man-made structure in Belize, Caracol located on the western edge of the Mayan Mountains.
Nearby Xunantunich, meaning "stone women" is overlooked by the pyramid of El Castillo, an area providing a wonderland of natural attractions.
Visitors can explore the Xunantunich by horseback ride on a four-hour tour with Hanna Stables
www.hannastables.com