– A collaborative forum for local stakeholders and the cruise industry is exactly what we need to ensure local value and “smooth sailing” in the summer season, says Frigg Jørgensen, Executive Director of AECO.
Svalbard is an important destination for the expedition cruise industry. This offers economic and other values for Longyearbyen and adds to the opportunity for year-round employment in the local tourism sector. Cruise tourism is and will be an important part of Svalbard’s tourism.
Some challenges related to visitor management capacities, coordination and information have however been identified. These are challenges that can be solved to a large extent through cooperation and good planning, so that the arrival of cruise tourists is a positive experience for the local community.
Under the leadership of Visit Svalbard, the Svalbard Cruise Forum has been established as a three-year project, bringing together all those involved in tourism in Svalbard, including AECO representing the Arctic expedition cruise operators. One important aim is to streamline the logistics related to cruise tourism in the summer season.
– Collaboration is the key to achieving the common goal of sustainable tourism and local value creation, said Ronny Brunvoll, CEO of Visit Svalbard.
The kickoff for Svalbard Cruise Forum takes place Wednesday 8 February in Longyearbyen, gathering the stakeholders around the table. Together they will identify their individual and common contributions to achieve the goals of a sustainable destination. –
Contact:
Frigg Jørgensen, Executive Director at AECO
Cell phone: +47 913 90 554
E-mail: frigg@aeco.no
Ronny Brunvoll, CEO of Visit Svalbard
Cell phone: +47 950 16 165
E-mail: ronny@visitsvalbard.com
AECO (The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) is an international association for expedition cruise operators in the Arctic and others with interests in this industry. AECO is dedicated to managing responsible, environmentally friendly and safe tourism in the Arctic and strives to set the highest possible operating standards.
