Leading expedition
cruise company HX,
formerly known as Hurtigruten
Expeditions, has officially joined the United
States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) as its newest active member. USTOA
President and CEO, Terry Dale, announced the addition today, bringing the organization’s
total membership number to 50 entities representing 147 distinct travel brands.
"USTOA is
committed to fostering sustainability in tourism, and HX’s expertise and
passion for responsible travel strongly align with our association’s vision,”
said Dale. “HX is distinguished for its pole-to-pole expeditions that combine
sustainability, science and education to create transformative travel experiences.
They are a very welcome addition to our membership portfolio.”
“As we join the
esteemed USTOA family, HX is excited to expand our presence in the Americas,
where we see tremendous opportunity for growth,” said Steve Smotrys,
HX Managing Director & SVP of Commercial, Americas. “With a focus on
supporting our tour operator and trade partners, we've tailored our expedition
products to meet the evolving needs of American travelers—from launching fleet-wide
all-inclusive offerings to introducing shorter, more accessible itineraries.”
He added, “Our 173-percent
revenue growth since 2019 reflects this commitment to the trade, and as USTOA
members, we look forward to building even stronger relationships with North
America travel advisors to further enhance the expedition experience for their
clients.”
Founded way back in 1896,
HX has long been at the forefront of mindful expedition cruising. Operating with
a dedicated team of more than 1,300 professionals worldwide, with modern ships
in its fleet, the company currently sails adventuresome guests to over 250
awe-inspiring destinations spanning more than 30 countries.
Consistently
proving itself a trailblazer in terms of sustainability, HX became the first
cruise company to abolish the use of heavy fuel oils, eschew unnecessary single-use
plastics across its operations and introduce hybrid-powered vessels. HX also champions
scientific research and contributes more than 1,800 free cruise nights annually
to scientists who conduct research onboard. The company also established the HX
Foundation, which supplies funding for community projects focused on marine
conservation and education.
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