Combating marine plastic
Arctic expedition cruise operators, associated industries, authorities and academia are gathering to discuss issues such as industry developments, tourism impact and community engagement. The conference will also highlight cruise industry efforts to combat marine plastic pollution.
According to AECO executive director Frigg Jørgensen, the conference is an important forum for managing responsible Arctic tourism.
'We see that industry self-regulation is more crucial than ever. More ships are being built and new operators are looking to offer polar cruises. For the past 15 years, AECO has developed guidelines and standards for responsible Arctic tourism. We will continue to set the bar high to ensure a sustainable future for our industry,' Jørgensen added.
Community engagement a priority
One focus for this year’s conference is community engagement. AECO is working to enhance dialogue and exchange between cruise operators and Arctic communities. New initiatives include Community Specific Guidelines that inform tourists how to be considerate visitors. The conference also includes presentations by the government of Nunavut and Visit Greenland and a panel discussion on community engagement.
Jørgensen said community engagement will be a priority for AECO going forward, in addition to the organization’s work on environmental standards and safety.
In conjunction with the conference, AECO is organizing a number of side meetings focusing on the Polar Code and life saving appliances, maritime regulations in Svalbard and cruise developments in Arctic Canada.
56 Arctic cruise ships represented
AECO has 73 international members, including 43 vessel operators, owners and managers. With members fielding 56 expedition cruise vessels, the association represents the great majority of tour operations in the Arctic.
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