presentation of aeco ― assiociation of arctic expedition cruise operators

Presentation of AECO

― Assiociation of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators

ILJA LANG

AECO General Presentation 2013

―Responsible, environmentally-friendly and safe tourism

―31 members. 21 of which operate approximately 26 expedition

cruise vessels in the Arctic (8 - 318 passengers)

Association for Arctic Expedition cruise operators (AECO)

―All AECO members have an obligation not only to operate in accordance with local, national and international laws and regulations, but also to comply with AECO guidelines and by-laws.―AECO has an office in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway

andan office in Copenhagen, Denmark


AECO

MEMBER/ ORIGIN VESSEL PASSENGERS

Abercrombie & Kent – USA Le Boreal 264

Albatros Travel – Denmark Clipper Adventure 122

Corinthian II 114

Aurora Expeditions – Australia Polar Pioneer 54

G Adventures – Canada Expedition 124

Grand Espaces - Switzerland Polaris 12

Hanse Explorer - Germany Hanse Explorer 12

Hapag-Lloyd – Germany Bremen 164

Hanseatic 184

Heritage Expeditions Spirit of Enderby 48

Hurtigruten – Norway Fram 318

Lindblad Expeditions – USA National Geographic Explorer 148

One Ocean Expeditions - Canada Akademik Sergey Vavilov 110

Akademik Ioffe 110

AECO General Presentation 2013 EXPEDITION VESSELS & CAPACITY

MEMBER/ ORIGIN VESSEL PASSENGERS

Oceanwide Expeditions – Netherlands

Noorderlicht 20

Ortelius 100

Plancius 114

Rembrandt van Rijn 34

Origo Expeditions – Sweden Stockholm 12

Poseidon Expeditions 50 Years of Victory 112

Polar Quest – Sweden Stockholm 12

Quest 53

Ocean Nova 73

Quark Expeditions – Canada

Sea Spirit 110

50 Years of Victory 112

Silversea Cruises – Monaco Silver Explorer 132

69 Nord – Norway Southern Star 10

Tallship Company – Netherlands Antigua 32

AECO General Presentation 2013 EXPEDITION VESSELS & CAPACITY

―AECO’s objective is to ensure that expedition cruises andtourism in the Arctic is carried out with the utmostconsideration for the fragile, natural environment, local cultures and cultural remains, as well as the challenging safetyhazards at sea and on land. ―AECO also advocate for the expedition cruise industry'sinterests.


AECO’s Objectives

Environmentally friendly and safe activities,consideration of and respect for local cultures.

―Encourage use of highest qualified guides and staff

―Incorporate standards and guidelines

―Encourage coordination/co-operation

―Education of visitors

―Advisory group to governments

―Interaction with NGOs

―Recognized as one of the primary expedition cruise organizations in the Arctic

AECO’s Strategies


AECO’s Structure―By-laws

―Guidelines

―Coordinated landing-schedule

―Close contact and co-operations with authorities

―Hearing and processes

―Projects

―Co-operation with other industry organizations such as IAATO, CLIA, Cruise Norway etc.

―Annual conference and meeting


Hearing & regulation processes


THE ARCTIC

AECO uses the samedefinition of the Arctic asthe IMO, i.e.:

60 degree north, with exceptions

Core area: Svalbard, Jan Mayen and Greenland

Under consideration / steps taken: Canada & Russia


2008: 10 operators - 17 vessels2012: 20 operators - 26 vessels

AECO Passenger numbers Svalbard, Greenland & Jan Mayen



Numbers include all commercial cruise traffic; passengers on small, medium and largeconventional cruise vessels as well as passengers on small expedition cruise vessels.

Sources: Governor of Svalbard and Statistics Greenland. Numbers for Canada is anEstimate and was generated using data from the Nunavut Visitor Exit Survey 2011.

Arctic Cruise Passengers

Operational guidelines

Visitors guidelines

Siteguidelines

Wildlifeguidelines

AECO’s comprehensive guidelines for cruise operators in the Arctic

AECO’s guidelines for visitors to the Arctic

20 different site specific guidelines regarding sites in Svalbard

Specific wildlife considerations in regard to a number of different species.

AECO’s guidelines


HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012


Ilja Leo Lang

― Detailed regulations for Arctic operations on environmental and safety considerations, as well as cultural and social interactions

― Operational guidelines are developed and decided by the members

― All members are obliged to comply with these




Ilja Leo Lang

― Content



― Examples



― Further information

AECO’s comprehensive operational guidelines is available in full text onboard every AECO vessel and can be found online at:

http://www.aeco.no/documents/AECOGuidelines2011edition_001.doc


Ilja Leo Lang

Take nothing with you – leave nothing behind

Avoid disturbance of animals and birds

Leave the plants and flowers

Do not damage cultural remains

Respect local culture and support local communities


Visitors guidelines― A few basic rules for our guests

DURING LANDINGS

Avoid walking on wet vegetated areas If possible, do not step on flowers or plant beds. Do not build Cairns Do not touch dead birds or animals – there has been rabies in Arctic

regions

HRG STAFF SEMINAR 2012 Ilja Leo LangAECO General Presentation 2013


TENDER BOATS/SMALL BOAT EXCURSIONS

Be sure to always have your life vests on properly One passenger enters and leaves the boat at a time. Use the sailors grip when embarking and disembarking the boat. Always remain seated. Never more than one standing passenger at any time. Secure equipment and belongings to avoid losing items overboard



POLAR BEARS

Take the polar bear danger seriously Your guides will carry firearms and other bear deterrents The guides have been trained in use and handling of firearms Always follow instructions given by your expedition leader or guide



ARCTIC DOGS

Potentially dangerous Never approach or attempt to pet or feed Arctic dogs without permission

and supervision from the dog owner/handler.



CULTURAL INTERACTION

Respect local cultures Respect privacy; keep a good distance from private houses

and never glance or photograph through private windows Ask before you photograph – a hesitation means no. Do not alter cairns – may be signposts Buy local souvenirs and products – look for CITES.



CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING

Tourism can be a great way of learning about, promoting and creating tolerance between people with different backgrounds and cultures

Do not judge other cultures based on own sense of reality, norms and values

Cultures are qualitatively different

Do not expect to find everything as it is at home – you have left home to find things different



English: http://www.aeco.no/documents/AECO-brosjyre-p10-engl_000.pdf

Norwegian: http://www.aeco.no/documents/AECO-brosjyre-p10-norsk_000.pdf

German: http://www.aeco.no/documents/AECO-brosjyre-p10-tysk_000.pdf


Visitors guidelines― Available in three languages, both digitally and on print

Site guidelines


http://www.aeco.no/guidelines/

AECO’s site specific guidelines for Svalbard can be found online at:


Site guidelines― Further information

Wildlife guidelines― New walrus guideline



Ilja Leo LangAECO General Presentation 2013

More InformationAECO web site: www.aeco.no

We wish you a safe, environmentally-friendly, respectful and unforgettable Arctic experience.

Thank you!

presentation of aeco ― assiociation of arctic expedition cruise operators

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