Archive for «Community engagement»

Guidelines for a dynamic community

March 22nd, 2023

Photo: Ozzo What is OK and what should you avoid? AECO’s new Community Specific Guidelines gives the answers to tourists who visit Reykjanesbær. It’s the ninth community guideline for Iceland based on local involvement. – We are very happy about the collaboration with the local community. It is the foundation for successful visits for both […]

Community engagement key to a responsible return to Arctic expedition cruising

February 5th, 2021

Once Arctic coastal communities are ready to welcome tourists again, expedition cruise operators can engage with local communities to plan safe and considerate visits. The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) is working to identify best practices for responsible community engagement in the COVID-19 era.

New report encourages research to support Arctic tourism management

January 9th, 2020

Arctic tourism stakeholders have contributed to a report that outlines knowledge gaps and research needed to support responsible tourism management in the Arctic. The goal is to encourage researchers to undertake research that can inform decision-makers, local communities and operators in a time of increased interest in Arctic tourism.

Ann Eileen Lennert joins AECO as community engagement specialist

November 25th, 2019

AECO is pleased to welcome new staff member Ann Eileen Lennert who assumed the position of community engagement specialist on November 15.

Cruise tourism brought Svalbard NOK 110 million in earnings in 2018

September 11th, 2019

A new study of the economic impact of cruise tourism in Svalbard shows that expedition and conventional cruise ships made a substantial contribution to the local economy by purchasing goods and services for more than USD 12 million last year.

New guidelines for visiting the world’s most northerly community: Ny-Ålesund

July 18th, 2019

New community specific guidelines have been developed for Ny-Ålesund, the world’s most northerly community, in response to increasing visitor numbers. These guidelines created by Kings Bay, which facilitates the international research activities that take place in high Arctic settlement. Ny-Ålesund joins the ranks of Longyearbyen (Svalbard), Seyðisfjörður (Iceland) and Sisimiut (Greenland), three Arctic communities that have also created community specific guidelines using a template developed by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).

AECO signs MOU with Government of Nunavut

April 16th, 2019

Iqaluit, Nunavut (April 16, 2019) – The Government of Nunavut (GN) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO), today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on cruise ship tourism in the territory. “The GN is committed to diversifying and improving economic opportunities to encourage self-reliance and provide local employment in […]

Sisimiut launches Community Specific Guidelines

November 1st, 2018

Sisimiut has become the first Greenlandic town to launch its own Community Specific Guidelines. The guidelines instruct tourists on how to be considerate visitors and were developed using a template created by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and partners.

AECO conference celebrates 15 years of sustainable tourism

October 17th, 2018

This week, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) marks its 15-year anniversary. Sustainable tourism is on the agenda as AECO welcomes 120 participants to is Arctic Cruise Conference in Oslo.