Jakob Lunøe takes the helm of Albatros Expeditions as CEO

Albatros Expeditions appointed technology and travel veteran Jakob Lunøe as CEO.

Lunøe began his career in the travel industry, overseeing voyages across Southeast Asia, the Mediterranean and Africa as a tour leader. He then held senior positions in the tech sector, honing his skills in digital transformation and customer engagement strategies.

Most recently he was CEO of Delogue PLM, a Copenhagen-based software company focused on the fashion, apparel and lifestyle brands. Before that, he was chief revenue officer and chief commercial officer for Apsis, a digital marketing company. He also held sales roles at a range of other companies.

Nordic and family values

'I’ve always dreamed of returning to the travel industry, and Albatros Expeditions felt like the perfect fit,' Lunøe said. 'The focus on adventure, environmental awareness and delivering unforgettable guest experiences aligns deeply with my personal and professional values.'

Lunøe envisions Albatros Expeditions evolving into a more dynamic and guest-centric company, deeply rooted in its Nordic and family values. The Copenhagen-based company is family-owned.

'We're an international company with people from all corners of the world and the globe. But the core value of what we do and how we lead this is still a Nordic approach. We have a very flat hierarchy, open communication and strong awareness of sustainability,' he said.

'My focus will be to combine our Nordic DNA with polar expeditions, offering a luxurious, yet accessible, Nordic expedition experience rooted in the beauty of polar nature.'

Travel advisors remain key

According to Albatros Expeditions, Lunøe also recognizes the 'critical role' of travel advisors in the company's success, particularly as the business adapts to shifts toward direct-to-consumer bookings.

'Our strongest collaborations with agents are partnerships built on trust and shared vision. We’ll be introducing new tools, like a real-time booking system, and expanding educational initiatives to strengthen these relationships,' Lunøe said, adding: 'While direct sales will grow, agents remain invaluable for guiding guests through the complexities of expedition travel.'