On Oct. 18, the Association of Arctic Expeditions Cruise Operators presents its 14th Annual Arctic Cruise Conference. The gathering will give an overview of current developments and trends and provide a forum for discussing the industry's future.
'We see that there is a greater interest for Arctic destinations, and many visitors choose expedition cruising because it offers unique experiences and a closeness to nature. We expect to see considerable growth over the next couple of years, and it is important that the industry takes the necessary steps to make sure that operations continue to be carried out in a safe and sustainable manner,' AECO executive director Frigg Jørgensen said.
AECO is a member association dedicated to managing safe and sustainable Arctic cruise tourism. It represents the majority of Arctic expedition cruise operators, and more are joining as the sector grows.
Membership has increased by 20% over the past year.
'Safety and environmental issues are important both to our members and their passengers, and we’re happy to grant membership to operators and tour providers that are committed to AECO’s principles and guidelines. AECO facilitates coordination and self-regulation within the industry, which will become even more important as this segment grows,' Jørgensen said.
More than 25 cruise operators are expected to attend the conference, in addition to representatives from associated industries, authorities and academia.
The event includes destination updates from Svalbard, Greenland, Canada, Russia, Iceland and Antarctica. AECO also will present statistics for the 2017 season and unveil passenger count estimates for upcoming seasons. This year’s program further includes presentations on Polar Code implementation, law of the sea and Arctic cruising.
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