Tagged: Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO)

AECO Response to High North News Article on Greenwashing

AECO (Logo)Response to High North News Article on Greenwashing Accusations (Anne Øien, Head of Communications, Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators): “First, it is important to highlight the value of citizen science initiatives. Citizen science is a recognized and well-established form of research, used in a wide range of studies”. (more…)

Kickoff for the Clean Up Iceland project, a collaboration between AECO, The Blue Army, Gára and the Icelandic Coast Guard

Kickoff for the Clean Up Iceland project, a collaboration between AECO, The Blue Army, Gára and the Icelandic Coast Guard (Image at LateCruiseNews.com - March 2023)AECO’s members have done cleanups on Svalbard for over 20 years with great success. Starting with this kickoff, AECO expands the project to Iceland – while supporting the great work of The Blue Army, says AECO’s Head of Operations, Melissa Nacke. (more…)



Expedition cruise industry prepares for safe reopening – 62 participants representing 38 member organizations attended AECO’s digital Annual General Meeting

AECO (Logo)62 participants representing 38 member organizations attended AECO’s digital Annual General Meeting, held on Wednesday October 20. While the pandemic has limited expedition cruising in the Arctic, AECO and the industry has been keeping busy strengthening industry practices. (more…)



Report from Joint Arctic Search and Rescue Tabletop Exercise published

This week, the report from the most recent “Joint Arctic Search and Rescue Tabletop Exercise” was published. The report highlights how the skillset of expedition staff can be leveraged when establishing and evacuating passengers to a shore camp. (more…)

AECO: Tour operators’ efforts to tackle Arctic marine litter highlighted in new video

AECO's Clean Seas Project

The Arctic expedition cruise industry has vowed to leave Arctic beaches cleaner than they find them. In addition, they are working to address the problem at its source. The industry’s efforts to combat marine plastic pollution is presented in a new information video. (more…)



The Greenlandic communities of Maniitsoq and Kangerlussuaq launch tourist guidelines

AECO (Logo)The Greenlandic communities of Maniitsoq and Kangerlussuaq offer unique experiences to travelers. The two communities have now developed “Community Specific Guidelines” to help visitors understand how they can make the most of their stay while being considerate guests. (more…)



New report encourages research to support Arctic tourism management

AECO (Logo)Arctic tourism stakeholders have contributed to a report that outlines knowledge gaps and research needed to support responsible tourism management in the Arctic. The goal is to encourage researchers to undertake research that can inform decision-makers, local communities and operators in a time of increased interest in Arctic tourism. (more…)



Regulating the booming Arctic cruise industry is proving frustratingly difficult

For wealthy boomers with cash to splash, luxury doesn’t necessarily look like poolside mojitos or glistening golden sands. Instead, it might involve a boat hardened against the ice, traversing the fragile wilds of the Arctic, with the chance to encounter the cliff-face of climate change from the comfort of a five-star suite. (qz.com)

Lufttransport, AECO and the Governor of Svalbard launch heli-rescue training video

Helirescue training video by AECO, Lufttransport and Governor of Svalbard

The Arctic expedition cruise industry and search and rescue responders are collaborating to enhance preparedness and collaboration. The latest step in this effort is a new video that explains how crew and staff onboard vessels can assist in a helicopter rescue operation. (more…)

AECO’s Arctic Cruise Conference donates, Thanks to Silversea Cruises, to Tara Ocean Foundation

AECO (Logo)Representatives from the expedition cruise industry, Arctic stakeholders, authorities and researchers gathered in Oslo this week for AECO’s Arctic Cruise Conference. In addition to the conference and side meetings, attendants were invited to be part of AECO’s traditional Annual Dinner, which took place October 16. (more…)

Polar Expedition Experts Descend on Sturbridge, Massachusetts for International Field Guide Conference

Int. Ass. Antarctica Tour Operators - IAATO (logo)AECO (Logo)Polar field guides are descending on Sturbridge, Massachusetts today for the third bi-annual International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) joint Polar Field Staff Conference. (more…)



Optimal Balance – tourism management workshop in Longyearbyen

AECO (Logo)This week a workshop focusing on a balanced approach to tourism development in Svalbard has taken place in Longyearbyen. The event which was spread over three days has seen many speakers and participants join together to discuss, define and pitch research projects that can help Svalbard find the optimal balance in tourist development. (more…)

Cruise tourism brought Svalbard NOK 110 million in earnings in 2018

Longyearbyen Community Guidelines

A new study of the economic impact of cruise tourism in Svalbard shows that expedition and conventional cruise ships made a substantial contribution to the local economy by purchasing goods and services for more than USD 12 million last year. (more…)