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To ensure sustainable and safe travel, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) has issued guidelines for private yachts sailing to and in the Arctic. The guidelines will help yacht operators plan a safe and considerate voyage as well as provide other valuable information. AECO has also launched a website where additional information and resources can be found.

The Arctic calls for considerate tourism.

Photo: Aztec Lady

“When planning a yacht trip to the Arctic, it’s important to be a considerate visitor who takes special care to minimize negative impact,” said AECO Executive Director Frigg Jørgensen. “It is equally important to be vigilant to the considerable safety risks in the area and to have respect for communities and people.”

AECO is an organization for expedition cruise operators in the Arctic which has issued a number of important guidelines for expedition cruise operators and their guests covering areas such as wildlife, vegetation, cultural remains, bio-security, communities and sites. The association shares most guidelines and other tools through open sources on its website.

“We strongly believe that the Arctic environment and everyone visiting there benefit from considerate and sustainable tourism, which is why we decided to also issue a guideline that will assist private yacht travelers,” said Jørgensen.

The project has received financial support from Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund.

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