The leader of more than a dozen expeditions to the North Pole has been elevated to the newly-created role of chief expedition officer at HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions).
Alex McNeil joined the adventure cruise company 18 months ago as product and guest experience senior vice president after being expedition experience and innovation director at Quark Expeditions.
He has more than 15 years of experience involving nearly 200 expeditions, including 14 to the Geographic North Pole.
McNeil will oversee all aspects of HX’s global itinerary and expedition experience.
His new role comes as HX expands its reach, including new sailings to Greenland and the Norwegian Arctic.
Newly-appointed HX chief executive Gebhard Rainer 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.
“Alex will continue to lead us into a new era of expedition cruising, ensuring we remain at the forefront of driving sustainable practices that prioritise greener travel.”
McNeil added, “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.”