Hurtigruten Expeditions Welcomes Gebhard Rainer as New CEO

Hurtigruten Expeditions (HX) has announced a significant leadership transition with the appointment of Gebhard Rainer as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective July 15. Rainer, a seasoned leader with a track record in the luxury hospitality sector, will succeed Daniel Skjeldam, who will transition to a board member role within the Hurtigruten Group.

Prior to his new role at HX, Rainer held the position of CEO at Sandals Resorts International, where he played a crucial role in steering the company through growth and expansion in the luxury hospitality industry. His previous experience also includes a notable tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer at Coach, where he was instrumental in streamlining operations and enhancing customer experiences.

Expressing his enthusiasm about his new role, Rainer stated, “I’m thrilled to embark on this journey with HX and to contribute to our shared vision for expedition travel that is mindful, responsibly low-impact, and considerate of our surroundings.” He added, “The opportunities ahead are truly exciting, and I look forward to leveraging HX’s strengths to drive innovation, growth, and positive impact in the expedition travel industry.”

Daniel Skjeldam, the outgoing CEO, highlighted the strategic timing of this leadership change. “We have now set the right direction for HX, both when it comes to introducing a new brand and establishing and executing the first parts of the new long-term strategy,” said Skjeldam. “With the split between Hurtigruten and HX in its final phase, I believe the timing is ideal to bring in a dedicated CEO for HX to develop the company to its full potential.”

This leadership transition marks a new chapter for Hurtigruten Expeditions as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the global expedition cruise market, aiming to enhance its operational effectiveness and sustainability initiatives under Rainer’s leadership.