With ambitious projects on the horizon, the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators hires Gyða Guðmundsdóttir as Community Engagement Specialist with a special focus on Iceland.
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators has hired Gyða Guðmundsdóttir as our new Community Engagement Specialist in AECO, based in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her focus will be on developing framework and tools related to AECO’s Community Engagement, with a special focus on Iceland in her role.
First icelandic member to join aecos secretariat
Gyða is the first Icelandic member to join AECO’s secretariat. With her local knowledge of Iceland combined with relevant experience from the Arctic tourism industry and port operations, we are confident that she will help achieve AECO’s goal of dialogue, partnership, and engagement in the communities. According to Gyða, considering the interest for and level of cruise traffic in Iceland, it is crucial to involve local communities and create solutions that benefit both locals, landowners, and expedition travelers.
“That way, we make sure that expedition cruise ships are welcomed now, and in the future. I strongly believe in the potential that expedition cruise tourism has in Iceland, and the coordinated approach that AECO members have in their operating areas. The focus is always on responsible, environmentally friendly, and safe tourism. We need to make sure that this is carried out in harmony with the natural environment, challenging safety hazards and local communities” Gyða adds.
Background and qualifications
Gyða Guðmundsdóttir brings a wealth of experience from Arctic tourism and the maritime industry, most recently as General Manager for the North Atlantic Agency in 2017, a network of port agents in the North Atlantic and the Arctic. As part of her role in NAA she spent a summer in Nuuk working for Royal Arctic Line, and prior to this she worked hands on handling port calls in Reykjavik as Port Agent and Key Account Manager for Gára Port Agency. Gyda became acquainted with the cruise industry in Wonderful Copenhagen, working for the Cruise Baltic Network.
Gyða Guðmundsdóttir joins AECO as community engagement specialist.
Photo credit: Aníta Eldjárn
