Community Dialogue Shapes Expedition Cruise Tourism in Pond Inlet

With an estimated 20 expedition cruise calls expected during the 2026 season, community representatives, tourism partners, government agencies, and cruise industry stakeholders came together in Pond Inlet in July to discuss how tourism is experienced, managed, and developed in the community.

First cruise call of the season

The timing was fitting. On July 25, Viking Polaris became the first AECO member vessel to call at Pond Inlet during the 2026 season, bringing approximately 350 guests ashore.

Visitors took part in community-led experiences, including guided walks, visits to the replica sod house and the Nattinnak Visitor Centre, and cultural performances featuring drum dancing, throat singing, and local games. Together, these activities provided opportunities for visitors to learn more about the community directly from local residents.

The ship’s arrival coincided with a week of workshops, meetings, and community engagement activities organized by AECO in cooperation with the Government of Nunavut, Parks Canada, and the Hamlet of Pond Inlet. While cruise ship visits are the most visible part of expedition tourism, much of the work that shapes those visits happens long before guests arrive.

Listening to local perspectives

At the heart of the visit was a simple objective: listening. Throughout the week, residents, community representatives, tourism partners, and cruise industry stakeholders came together to discuss how expedition cruise tourism is experienced in Pond Inlet today and how it should develop in the future.

Those conversations took place through workshops, stakeholder meetings, and a community open house attended by around 40 residents. Together, they provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on tourism in the community and identify priorities that can help shape future cooperation between local partners and the expedition cruise industry.

Representatives from AECO and member operator Viking participated in the discussions, providing insight into how expedition cruises are planned and operated and hearing directly from residents about their experiences and perspectives.

One outcome of those discussions will be future updates to Pond Inlet’s Community-Specific Guidelines, developed by the community and followed by AECO members operating in the area.

Supporting opportunities in the community

Beyond creating opportunities for dialogue, expedition cruise tourism contributes to the local economy through visitor fees paid to the Hamlet, as well as guiding services, cultural activities, and other tourism-related activities delivered by community members.

The visit highlighted the ongoing collaboration between residents, local authorities, government partners, and cruise operators that underpins expedition cruise tourism in Pond Inlet. While visitors may spend only a day ashore, that experience is shaped by year-round cooperation, planning, and local knowledge.