North Sailing and Aurora Arktika announce partnership in Jökulfirðir
North Sailing and Aurora Arktika announce partnership in Jökulfirðir
- New alternative, more space and increased comfort for passengers
- Focus on self sustainability and respect for the environment
For 10 years, Aurora Arktika has offered organized ski- and sailing tours in Jökulfirðir as well as adventure tours to Westfjords, Jan Mayen and the east coast of Greenland. North Sailing has offered similar tours in Eyjafjörður for the past few years along with increasing activities in whale watching in Skjálfandi and adventure tours in Scoresby Sund, Greenland. The companies have officially decided to collaborate on marketing and the organization of tours in Jökulfirðir.
Sigurður Jónsson, owner of Aurora Arktika, says that Aurora‘s skiing tours have been going exceptionally well but there has always been a certain demand for more space and increased comfort that can be provided with a larger ship. The companies will work closely together to minimize the negative impact on nature by the tour groups.
Sailing ship Donna Wood will operate in Jökulfirðir in April and May
Synergy
Heimir Harðarson, captain and one of the owners of North Sailing says that the cooperation will benefit both parties. Next spring, North Sailing will utilize the sailboat Donna Wood for these trips but the two masted oakboat is 31 meters long, built in 1918 and renovated as a passengership in 1990. Added to the fleet of North Sailing earlier this year, the ship has seven fully equipped cabins and a large saloon. “All the facilities on board the Donna Wood are in perfect condition and with the addition of the ship the companies are able to increase the quality and comfort of its tours that up until now hasn‘t been possible” says Heimir Harðarson.
Sigurður Jónsson is looking forward to the cooperation: “Aurora is a 60 feet sailboat that was originally used in yacht racing globally. Now known around the world as a “mobile logcabin“ and a center for experiencing nature in the North Atlantic. We will of course continue to offer skiing tours on Aurora”.
Focus on nature
The companies spokesmen believe that the cooperation will lead to greater synergy. “We are excited and very happy with how well the companies agree on focus and strategy, especially in regards to the emphasis on self sustainability and respect for the environment“, says Heimir Harðarson of North Sailing.
The companies
North Sailing was founded in Húsavík in 1995 and was the first whale watching company to offer whale watching tours on a regular basis. North Sailing operates eight oakships, two restaurants and runs the Húsavík Shipyard.
Aurora Arktika‘s home port is in Ísafjörður, it operates the sailboat Aurora and conducts expeditions around Iceland, Jan Mayen and Greenland.
For more information, contact:
Sigurður Jónsson, owner of Aurora Arktika, sigurdur@aurora-arktika.com – telephone: 899-3817
Gústaf Gústafsson, North Sailing‘s Head of Marketing and Product Development, gustaf@northsailing.is – telephone: 854-9494
