A month after its launch, the network confirmed Oceanwide Expeditions and Polar Latitudes have joined the network, with 330 trade professionals already signing up to the membership portal.
Expedition Cruise Network, the new membership organisation connecting expedition cruise operators with trade professionals, celebrated its one month anniversary with the announcement.
At an event in celebration of the launch and new partners, Martin Johnson, chairman, celebrated the news, and confirmed plans "to engage even further with the trade during the second half of the year with the most extensive cruising webinar series ever produced for the trade.
"The series will focus on key topics, including how to sell expedition cruises and panel discussions with leading voices from the sector. We'll cover key areas and shine a light on expedition cruising, drawing on keynote and guest speakers."
Expedition Cruise Network's debut webinar will take place on May 18th, 2023, covering 'How to Sell Expedition Cruising'. The current schedule includes 'Sustainability and Responsible Travel in Expedition Cruising' (June 28th), 'Expedition cruising beyond Polar regions: shining a light on global expedition cruising destinations' (July 19th), 'Selling luxury expedition cruising' (August 17th), 'Polar Matters: selling Antarctica, Arctic and beyond' (October 18th), 'Galapagos and South America: small yacht and expedition cruising' (November 22nd), and 'A festive webinar edition: a year of expeditions, ECN top picks' (December 12th).
Agents can sign up for the webinar sessions at www.expeditioncruisenetwork.com/webinars.
As the network grows, agents can expect analysis of the sector's trends. An early survey conducted this week revealed strong growth in Q1 2023, with price points starting a £5,000, which Akvile Marozaite, the network's CEO, suggested could help shift the narrative around expedition cruising as a solely high-luxury affair: "These are invariably luxury products – providing unrivalled access to hard to get to destinations, but with average price points leading in at £5,000, this is now a competitive market, no longer obtainable just to the super rich."
Marozaite continued: "We are pleased to report that all of our Expedition Cruise Network Members have reported growth or significant growth in the first quarter of 2023.
"All the members said that they were looking to increase trade support with the majority looking to educate and market to consumers on their unique worldwide itineraries; improve their sustainability credentials and develop new itineraries.
"In addition, the majority of expedition cruise companies are aiming to introduce new tools to help the travel trade sell their product; with the majority saying that they would like to offer more ship and fam trips and improve in person events. One member reported that they were looking to give access to their experts such as their captains, expeditionary leaders and cruise directors.
Trade partners can join the network at www.expeditioncruisenetwork.com/member-signup.
