AECO Guidelines

GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS IN THE ARCTIC

The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) is an international organisation for cruise operators. Our organisation’s main objective is to ensure that expedition cruises and tourism in the Arctic are carried out with the utmost consideration for the fragile, natural environment, local cultures and cultural remains, while ensuring safe tour operations at sea and on land.

Our responsibilities
Tourism and cruise activities in the Arctic operate within a comprehensive framework of international and national laws and regulations designed to ensure safety and protect the environment. As a founding member of AECO, PolarQuest is obligated to comply with these requirements. Nevertheless, operators also carry responsibility for their activities and actions beyond formal laws and regulations.  

AECO has therefore developed a comprehensive set of guidelines for expedition cruise operations in the Arctic. These guidelines are endorsed by its member operators and provide the foundation for respectful, environmentally responsible, and safe expedition cruising.

Your responsibilities
From this comprehensive set of guidelines, we have selected a number of basic rules that we ask you to read carefully and follow. We invite you to spend some time familiarising yourself with the necessary safety precautions and to take note of the cultural and social considerations we ask you to respect."

AECO Biosecurity Guidelines: HERE

AECO Wildlife Guidelines: HERE

AECO Longyearbyen Guidelines: HERE

AECO Ny-Ålesund Guidelines: HERE

If you would like to read AECO’s full set of guidelines for Arctic operations, see them: HERE