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Hurtigruten takes minority stake in Ecuador's Metropolitan Touring

Hurtigruten Group acquired a 24.9% stake in Ecuador's Metropolitan Touring, one of South America’s leading travel companies and a Galápagos Islands pioneer.

Anne Kalosh, Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

March 29, 2022

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Last June Hurtigruten announced its expansion into the Galápagos via a long-term partnership with Metropolitan Touring including the extensive upgrade of the 90-passenger Santa Cruz II. In December, Hurtigruten more than doubled its Galápagos offering with additional itineraries available year-round in 2023 and 2024.

A more meaningful partnership

'It is a unique opportunity for us to contribute to a more meaningful partnership, where we can expand quickly, strategically and deliver on our vision for the future together,' Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam said, adding that Metropolitan Touring 'mirrors our expedition heritage and sustainability values.'

Metropolitan Touring CEO Paulina Burbano de Lara said Hurtigruten's investment will 'bolster South America’s position as an exciting travel destination on the global stage, bringing its stunning natural and compelling cultural attractions into sharper focus for today’s responsible traveler.'

Santa Cruz II travelers may already add on mainland adventures before or after their Galápagos voyage, such as Peru's Machu Picchu, Ecuador's Cotopaxi National Park and Quito.

Opportunities for further land-based expansion

Hurtigruten said the strengthened partnership will broaden opportunities to further expand into more land-based programs and excursions.

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HurtigrutenGalápagos

About the Author

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

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