HX names Industry Leader Alex McNeil as Inaugural Chief Expedition Officer

16.07.2024 - 10:21 / traveldailynews.com / Theodore Koumelis

Hurtigruten Expeditions appoints Alex McNeil as Chief Expedition Officer, enhancing their adventure travel and sustainability focus, with new itineraries to Greenland and the Norwegian Arctic.

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) has announced that Alex McNeil will take on the newly created position of Chief Expedition Officer (CXO). This new C-suite role underscores HX’s commitment to immersive adventure travel, enhancing its legacy of almost 130 years in expeditions.

As CXO, McNeil will oversee all aspects of HX’s global itinerary and expedition experience. His role will ensure that each voyage is meticulously designed and curated to offer unparalleled exploration, education, and leave a positive impact on any communities they interact with. This announcement comes at a pivotal time as HX continues to expand its offerings, including new sailings to Greenland and the Norwegian Arctic.

Gebhard Rainer, the newly appointed CEO of HX said: “The Chief Expedition Officer role is inspired by our exploration heritage, and Alex will leverage his extensive experience and business acumen to maximise the experiences of the next generation of explorers who travel with HX.

“Alex has already been a transformative leader within our organisation since he joined. His vision and dedication to mindful adventure have significantly advanced our product innovation capacity and deepened our community partnerships. As CXO, Alex will continue to lead us into a new era of expedition cruising, ensuring we remain at the forefront of driving sustainable practices.”

With over 15 years of experience and nearly 200 expeditions, including 14 to the Geographic North Pole, McNeil brings unparalleled expertise and a visionary approach to HX. In his most recent role, he served as Senior Vice President of Product and Guest Experience at HX for 18 months, and prior to that Director of Expedition Experience and Innovation at Quark Expeditions. His creative and collaborative approach has led to the development of industry-leading itineraries, experiences, and destination partnerships, further distinguishing HX as a champion for innovative practices in expedition cruising.

McNeil commented: “At HX, we trace our history back to the golden age of exploration with pioneers like Amundsen, Nansen, and Sverdrup. As we honour their legacy, we continue to innovate and create transformative travel experiences that respect and integrate local cultures and environments, benefiting our guests and host communities.”

Reflecting on his journey so far, McNeil said: “Having experienced historical sites like Nansen’s overwintering site at Cape Norway and the wreck of Amundsen’s ship Maud, I deeply understand HX’s pioneering ethos. I am honoured to step into this