Press release -
Hurtigruten Group strengthens partnership with significant investment in Metropolitan Touring
Hurtigruten Group has acquired a significant minority stake in Metropolitan Touring, one of South America’s leading travel companies and pioneers in the Galápagos Islands.
The long-term investment sees Hurtigruten Group take a 24.9% share in the company with headquarters in Quito, Ecuador, and further demonstrates Hurtigruten Group’s global growth ambitions in the adventure travel market.
CEO of Hurtigruten Group Daniel Skjeldam said: “This investment signifies our growth journey and we are delighted to invest in Metropolitan Touring, a proud South American company that mirrors our expedition heritage and sustainability values. It is a unique opportunity for us to contribute to a more meaningful partnership, where we can expand quickly, strategically and deliver on our vision for the future together.”
The strategic partnership broadens Hurtigruten Group’s portfolio of products in iconic, natural destinations, reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable adventure travel.
“Hurtigruten Group share our passion for the wonders of South America and we are excited by the prospect of this partnership which brings together two companies that have a common long-term vision of our industry’s power to do good in the world. As we continue the post-Covid recovery, this announcement will bolster South America’s position as an exciting travel destination on the global stage, bringing its stunning natural and compelling cultural attractions into sharper focus for today’s responsible traveller,” Metropolitan Touring CEO Paulina Burbano de Lara said.
Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s largest expedition cruise company and part of Hurtigruten Group, is offering year-round expedition cruises, in close cooperation with Metropolitan Touring, visiting the fabled archipelago’s most spectacular sites on board the 90-guest Santa Cruz II.
Its guests can already explore spectacular land-based South America adventures before or after their voyage, such as the iconic Machu Picchu, the Cotopaxi national park and the vibrant city life of Quito. The strengthened partnership will broaden opportunities to further expand into more unique land-based programmes and excursions.
For more information or interviews please contact VP, Group Communications, Catriona Loughran on +47 909 25528 or email: catriona.loughran@hurtigruten.com.
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About Hurtigruten Group
Hurtigruten Group is the world's leading adventure travel company, allowing guests to explore the most unique destinations in a sustainable and meaningful way.
With headquarters in Oslo, Norway, Hurtigruten Group has a proud expedition heritage and is committed to working with the best green technology to ensure our products are safe and respectful towards nature, wildlife and the communities we visit.
Hurtigruten Group has a comprehensive portfolio encompassing three business areas: Hurtigruten Expeditions, which was founded in 1896, and is the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise operator offering small-ship expedition cruising to around 250 destinations to more than 30 countries including Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Norway, North America, the British Isles, Caribbean, West Africa, South America and Antarctica. Hurtigruten Norway, which operates Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express, considered ‘the world’s most beautiful voyage’ has been sailing along the Norwegian coastline since 1893.
Hurtigruten Svalbard, one of the most exclusive tour operators in the industry, offers land-based adventures on the spectacular Arctic archipelago.https://global.hurtigruten.com/
About Metropolitan Touring
Founded in 1953, Metropolitan Touring is regarded as South America’s foremost tour operator, organizing journeys across Ecuador, Peru and Colombia. The company pioneered expedition cruising in Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands in the 1970s, where it owns and operates three expedition vessels in the archipelago and one hotel. On the Ecuadorian mainland, the boutique Casa Gangotena in the heart of the capital Quito’s historic center, and Mashpi Lodge, a luxury cocoon from which to explore the forests to the northwest of Quito, form part of its portfolio. Guests’ carbon emissions in Ecuador are offset through the acquisition and management of endangered and biodiverse forests. www.metropolitan-touring.com
