HX Names Industry Leader Alex McNeil as Inaugural Chief Expedition Officer

London, UK (July 15, 2024) – HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions), the world’s leading expedition cruise company, has today 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 sustainable and 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 maximize the experiences of the next generation of explorers who travel with HX.”

Rainer added: "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 that prioritise greener travel."

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, 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 and sustainable 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 role and work with our exceptional teams to create next-generation expedition experiences prioritising sustainability, cultural engagement, and scientific discovery.”

HX remains dedicated to pioneering expedition travel, offering more itineraries and experiences to remote destinations such as Antarctica, the Galápagos Islands, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic than any other expedition cruise company.