A new membership organisation for the expedition cruise sector has launched today.
Latin Routes and Polar Routes founder Martin Johnson is Chairman, while expedition cruise specialist Akvile Marozaite becomes the CEO of the new group, called Expedition Cruise Network (ECN).
The network’s mission is to become a global organisation and authority on expedition cruising and to help expedition cruise operators promote their products to the travel trade.
The network has launched with 11 members: AE Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, Australis, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, Latin Trails, Lindblad Expeditions, PONANT, Quark Expeditions and Swan Hellenic.
Travel trade members are also encouraged to join and can do so free of charge.
Martin said: “While the expedition cruise sector has developed significantly over recent years, it is still hugely underrepresented.
“Consumers who have not yet been on an expedition cruise do not realise what an incredible way of travelling it is.
“As the sector matures, it’s important it has its own, authoritative industry voice to advocate on key topics including challenges to the sector and sustainability, as well as key trends and data.
“We soon realised if expedition cruise operators worked collaboratively, we could achieve a great deal, but we needed a knowledgeable and experienced driving force, which is where Akvile came in. After several more months of consultation, research and planning, the Expedition Cruise Network was born.”
Akvile said the group’s first objective is to create a database of travel trade professionals who already sell expedition cruises or who want to do so.
Agents and operators can join the network free of charge here.
Anyone who joins by the end of May could win the chance to experience an evening of adventure in June in London, hosted by Lindblad Expeditions.
The evening will entail a rib boat ride onboard Thames Rockets speedboat with expedition leader and marine biologist Brad Siviour followed by a drinks’ reception in one of the riverside venues.
The post Agents invited to join new group promoting expedition cruises appeared first on Travel Gossip.
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Latin Routes and Polar Routes founder Martin Johnson is Chairman, while expedition cruise specialist Akvile Marozaite becomes the CEO of the new group, called Expedition Cruise Network (ECN).
The network’s mission is to become a global organisation and authority on expedition cruising and to help expedition cruise operators promote their products to the travel trade.
The network has launched with 11 members: AE Expeditions, Albatros Expeditions, Australis, Hapag Lloyd Cruises, Hurtigruten, Intrepid, Latin Trails, Lindblad Expeditions, PONANT, Quark Expeditions and Swan Hellenic.
Travel trade members are also encouraged to join and can do so free of charge.
Martin said: “While the expedition cruise sector has developed significantly over recent years, it is still hugely underrepresented.
“Consumers who have not yet been on an expedition cruise do not realise what an incredible way of travelling it is.
“As the sector matures, it’s important it has its own, authoritative industry voice to advocate on key topics including challenges to the sector and sustainability, as well as key trends and data.
“We soon realised if expedition cruise operators worked collaboratively, we could achieve a great deal, but we needed a knowledgeable and experienced driving force, which is where Akvile came in. After several more months of consultation, research and planning, the Expedition Cruise Network was born.”
Akvile said the group’s first objective is to create a database of travel trade professionals who already sell expedition cruises or who want to do so.
Agents and operators can join the network free of charge here.
Anyone who joins by the end of May could win the chance to experience an evening of adventure in June in London, hosted by Lindblad Expeditions.
The evening will entail a rib boat ride onboard Thames Rockets speedboat with expedition leader and marine biologist Brad Siviour followed by a drinks’ reception in one of the riverside venues.
The post Agents invited to join new group promoting expedition cruises appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
