Quark Expeditions, a leading expedition cruise operator that focuses exclusively on immersive adventures in the Arctic and Antarctic, has taken great strides to embrace sustainability through its Polar Promise initiative. Launched in 2019 as the most comprehensive sustainability strategy in the Polar Regions, Polar Promise serves as a framework for building and reporting on the 32-year-old company's sustainability initiatives. It brings together various efforts that were already in place, such as the reduction of single-use plastics, and consolidates these worthy practices under four key pillars: principles, planet, partnerships, and positive impact.
The Polar Promise framework provides both structure and flexibility, aligning with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks. By doing so, Quark Expeditions demonstrates its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Five SDGs are identified as highly relevant to the company's mission: decent work and economic growth, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water, and partnerships for the goals.
Engaging with local communities has long been a priority for Quark Expeditions. The company believes that the single most important outcome of this engagement is the creation of meaningful dialogue with its longstanding partners. By fostering connections and understanding, Quark Expeditions aims to contribute positively to the communities they encounter while delivering authentic experiences for guests.
Quark Expeditions aims to establish and maintain long-term relationships with communities in Greenland and Nunavut. As soon as itineraries are developed, members of the Quark Expeditions team connect with the community organisers to understand how to best engage with locals and what they would most like to share with guests. Quark Expeditions has made the effort to engage more people in the community by communicating with them in their own language and through mediums they frequent, such as posters at community centres and on local Facebook groups.
An example of this focus on communication and commitment to working closely with local communities is a recent print-and-digital poster campaign implemented in the communities of Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq , Arctic Bay, Pond Inlet and Grise Fiord in the Canadian Arctic. The posters, highlighting details of Quark Expeditions’ upcoming visit and extending an invitation to connect with staff and guests, was translated into the Inuktitut language. The poster, distributed throughout the communities, also contains information for local community members who are interested in working as Cultural Educators with Quark Expeditions.
The introduction to the above video titled Visiting Arctic Communities with Quark Expeditions sums up succinctly the value Quark Expeditions places on local partnerships: “The northern lands we visit are where Indigenous peoples have hunted, fished, nurtured their cultural traditions, co-existed with wildlife, and have been caretakers of the lands for thousands of years. Community visits on Canadian High Arctic and Greenland voyages – which are planned in conjunction with the local communities – reward guests with insights into traditional and modern ways of life in the Arctic.”
Similarly, to quote one of the adventure guide narrators in the video “Explore By Land, Sea and Air on Greenland Adventure”: “The Greenland Adventure program would not be possible without the help and support of our local partners in Greenland.” This statement refers to the one-of-a-kind experiences, such as camping with locals along the 70-km Tasermiut fjord in South Greenland, and joining local chefs on forage walks as they prepare for their campsite dinner.
Quark Expeditions' community engagement efforts is evident in their work in Qaanaaq, Greenland. The Quark Expeditions team collaborates with local service providers to build infrastructure and develop local expertise, creating enriching experiences for their guests. The benefits extend beyond the community, reaching not just Quark Expeditions but the whole expedition cruise industry. This approach emphasizes the importance of mutually enriching experiences that foster dialogue and understanding.
In 2022, Quark Expeditions introduced 'Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience,” the expedition industry’s first exclusive Inuit culinary offering, on select Greenland and Canadian Arctic voyages. Guests enjoy modern Inuit fusion-style cuisine with dishes reflecting the culinary traditions of the region of their voyage, whether it’s muskox in Greenland or Arctic char in Nunavut.
This on-ship experience, which was wholeheartedly embraced by guests when launched in 2022, was developed in full partnerships with local chefs. Quark Expeditions has had the honor of traveling to the Inuit homelands of Greenland and Nunavut for 30 years, and has developed meaningful relationships in local communities. These relationships were key to launching the Tundra to Table: Inuit Culinary Experience, which enables Inuit chefs in the Arctic to showcase their cuisine and culture of Greenland and Nunavut. By bringing this authentic experience onboard the ship, guests can partake in the local cuisine and culture, as local chefs share the stories of their people through food.
Guest response to this new Inuit culinary initiative has been overwhelming. The onboard experience was expanded from two itineraries in its inaugural 2022 season to five itineraries in 2023. Proceeds of Tundra to Table support existing food-focused initiatives in the Arctic, as well as encourage the development of new, grassroots food-focused projects in Inuit Nunangat (Inuit homeland in Canada) and Greenland. Key to Quark Expeditions’ immersive adventures in destinations such as Greenland and the Canadian Arctic is the new polar vessel Ultramarine. This newest addition to the Quark Expeditions fleet features a pioneering mix of advanced sustainability features that will reduce its environmental impact to an extent previously unseen for a polar vessel of comparable size.
Of course, investing in people is just as crucial as investing in technology. The Nalunaiqsijiit Inuit Cruise Training Initiative, developed by the government of Nunavut, focuses on training Inuit as expedition cruise guides, enriching the customer experience in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Having local guides onboard expedition ships creates opportunities for engagement and authentic experiences, which resonate deeply with guests from around the globe. These guides possess deep knowledge of the regions and offer diverse perspectives and experiences for the guests.
Quark Expeditions has made sustainability a central pillar of its operations, particularly in relation to their activities in Greenland. Through the Polar Promise, the company has established a framework that aligns with ESG principles and the United Nations SDGs. By engaging with local communities, training local guides, and introducing authentic experiences onboard their ships, Quark Expeditions ensures a sustainable and enriching expedition experience. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond environmental concerns to encompass economic growth, community partnerships, and positive impacts on the regions they visit.
This text was provided by Quark Expeditions. To learn more about the company and its destinations, head to our Member Area https://www.expeditioncruisenetwork.com/operator-members-1/quark-expeditions.
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