Bentours, which represents Hurtigruten in Australia, has welcomed news that the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) will increase its number of guidelines for sites in Spitsbergen from 9 to 21 for 2013.

The guidelines aim to ensure the continued protection of the vulnerable destination and that guests can continue to enjoy visiting it in years to come.

AECO took specialist scientific teams to the East Svalbard Nature Reserves to conduct biological, cultural heritage and botanical observations in order to set up practical guidelines for field landings. This includes areas where Hurtigruten sails in Spitsbergen.

The project is funded by the Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund, a fund that all visitors, including Hurtigruten guests, contribute into via a fee incorporated into their fares.

“Both Hurtigruten and Bentours welcome these new guidelines with open arms,” Bentours business head Jeremy Hearst said.  “We understand that we have a responsibility to be respectful of the waters and destinations we sail and to protect them to ensure they stay open to tourists.

“It is encouraging to see that specific areas of the eastern archipelago are now being studied by external scientific experts to ensure that we safeguard the area so people can continue to experience it. Our guests really like the fact that they help towards this by paying a small environmental fee as it’s their way of giving something back.” 

Bentours has been associated with Hurtigruten for more than 30 years. Three itineraries in Spitsbergen are available on various dates in July and August 2013, including the 9-day In the Realm of the Polar Bear, which circumnavigates Spitsbergen and includes landings and lectures.

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