57 they need, while also driving employee motivation and retention. Quark is already enjoying repeat bookings of upward of 20 per cent and Seward predicts this number may increase. “It is a macro trend that the luxury segment continues to grow but we are finding more guests are transitioning to expedition cruise because they are seeking the depth and breadth we offer.” In this respect, Quark takes its responsibilities of “operating in some incredibly sensitive areas – the last true wildernesses on the planet” very seriously. “We are committed to partnering with industry bodies such as the International Association Antarctica Tour Operators and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators,” says Seward. “We want to be in the room where we are agreeing and tabling guidelines, restrictions, no-go and low-speed areas, landing site constraints, enhancing rules around protecting biosecurity measures and so on. These are all good things for the environment but also a challenge we have to accommodate.” One of the company’s ambitions is “to try and develop standards into the industry around responsible procurement and to try to maximise the economic benefit for the destination community”, says Seward. Community is one pillar of Quark’s two-strand sustainability agenda – the other is conservation – and it engages with locals in places like Nunavut, Canada, and Greenland, where it is trying to enhance tourism infrastructure for the benefit of the community. Seward cites an example of taking stakeholders from Nunavut aboard Ultramarine “to help them understand what the guest experience is like, what we are interested in doing and why we are coming to these communities”. Likewise the company has been seeking out and partnering with Greenland businesses, for example it has introduced a mountain biking programme in partnership with a local business, which will involve developing mountain biking trails. This will enable local tourism stakeholders and wider communities to benefit, even though Quark ships only call a few times in a season. “Maximising the commercial opportunity for the destination, community and the entrepreneurs should be a win-win-win, situation,” explains Seward. “The guests feel more welcome, the destination infrastructure is enhanced, and there is a more genuine cultural exchange.” When it comes to conservation, Quark’s focus is twofold. In its journey to net zero, it sees renewing the fleet as the most effective way of managing the inevitable emissions that come with operating ships. “We only have a small fleet and small vessels [Ultramarine, Ocean Explorer, World Explorer Photo: Michelle Sole Like all of Quark Expeditions’ ice-strengthened ships, Ultramarine is designed to operate safely in polar environments, while offering guests a luxury onboard experience
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzQ1NTk=