AECO receives NOK 1.85 million in COVID-19 relief

Waves in Svalbard
Photo: Ilja Leo Lang

AECO has been awarded NOK 1.85 million (USD 225,000 approx.) in COVID-19 relief from the Norwegian government. The funds come from “Svalbard package 2”, a government compensation scheme to support travel industry in Svalbard that has been negatively affected by travel restrictions imposed as a result of the pandemic.

The compensation scheme is administered by Longyearbyen Local Council and the fact that AECO has been found eligible and been awarded funding is a recognition of the important role that AECO plays in managing responsible tourism in Svalbard. This positive outcome is the result of persistent effort by the secretariat and the EC, support from local stakeholders in Longyearbyen and not least the long-term commitment of AECO’s members to the standards and practices that have enabled the association to be recognized as a driving force and instrument for responsible tourism.

The Norwegian government has put in place several COVID-19 compensation schemes since the beginning of the pandemic, but due to AECO’s status as a not-for-profit NGO, AECO has not been eligible for any of the funding, including from “Svalbard package 1” which was targeted at the travel industry in Svalbard. Through continued efforts, including letters, hearing responses and meetings, AECO has worked to make authorities in Norway and Svalbard aware of the association’s situation and the role AECO plays in tourism industry self-regulation. Longyearbyen Local Council has been very supportive of AECO and has been instrumental in ensuring that AECO was eligible for funding under the criteria of Svalbard package 2.