Helping travel advisors understand responsible expedition cruising

Expedition cruising takes travellers to some of the world’s most remarkable and sensitive destinations. It brings together wildlife encounters, environmental stewardship, community engagement, education, science and conservation, all within a single travel experience.

Understanding how responsibly an expedition cruise operator approaches these areas can be difficult. Information is often spread across lengthy sustainability reports, policies and certifications, while operators may describe their work in very different
ways.

The ECN Responsible Expedition Framework has been created to make this complex subject clearer and more accessible for travel advisors.

A shared language for responsible expedition cruising

 

Developed in collaboration with travel advisors, expedition cruise operators and independent industry experts, the framework provides a common language for understanding and communicating responsible practices across the expedition cruise sector.

 

It looks beyond carbon emissions alone. Responsible expedition cruising also encompasses the protection of wildlife and natural environments, biosecurity, relationships with local and Indigenous communities, guest education, scientific collaboration, conservation and the long-term impact of tourism on the destinations visited.

The framework is designed to help travel advisors see more of the work taking place behind each expedition and to ask better-informed questions when researching operators or speaking with clients.

How the framework works

Participating expedition cruise operators voluntarily complete a detailed annual self-assessment consisting of 35 questions and provide evidence to support their responses.

The assessment examines six areas:

• Certifications and external validation

• Sustainable management and governance

• Environmental stewardship

• Community, cultural and destination stewardship

• Guest education and expedition ethos

• Positive impact and conservation contribution

The framework is aligned with recognised global sustainability principles, including those of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while addressing the considerations that are particularly relevant to expedition cruising.

Operator submissions are reviewed through an assessment process that includes an independent judging panel. Each participating operator is then recognised at one of five stages of its responsible expedition journey.