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Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators expands to include Iceland

PHOTO: Pixabay
At least 25% of AECO’s operating company members have itineraries that already visit or will visit Iceland
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators has decided to include Iceland in its geographical range. As a result, the association's guidelines and other measures will be applied to ensure sustainable expedition cruise operations in Iceland.

AECO's geographical range also encompasses Svalbard, Jan Mayen, Greenland, Arctic Canada and the Russian Arctic National Park. Iceland will be included in 2019. At least 25% of AECO’s operating company members have itineraries that already visit or will visit Iceland.

'Over many years, we have built beneficial cooperation with several stakeholders in Iceland. We have been watching the increase in tourism, including cruise tourism, and we believe AECO’s guidelines, measures and tools can be helpful,' AECO executive director Frigg Jørgensen said.

Community specific guidelines for Seyðisfjörður

Together with Cruise Iceland and partners from other North Atlantic areas, AECO has developed general community guidelines for visitors to North Atlantic communities. This past summer AECO entered a collaboration with local stakeholders to develop community specific guidelines for Seyðisfjörður. These are expected to be finalized later this year.

AECO is also responsible for an annual Joint Arctic Search and Rescue Tabletop Exercise organized in Reykjavik every April in cooperation with the Icelandic Coast Guard. The exercise gathers cruise industry and search and rescue entities from across the Arctic and is regarded as very important for Arctic SAR.

The association has developed a wide range of guidelines that its members are obliged to follow. These include operational guidelines, wildlife guidelines, visitors’ guidelines, site specific guidelines and others. AECO will assess guidelines to consider the need for local adjustments, but as far as possible, the guidelines will be compulsory for members operating in Iceland.

'We look forward to gradually step up our involvement and collaboration with relevant stakeholders in Iceland in the year to come,' Jørgensen said. 'Anyone involved or interested in our areas of work is very welcome to contact us.'