Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc., global leader and
pioneer in the expedition cruises and adventure travel industry, announced the
long-term extension and expansion of the Lindblad Expeditions brand’s strategic
relationship with renowned exploration and scientific discovery brand National
Geographic.
Under the new agreement, the two companies have extended
their 20-year relationship through 2040 allowing the brand to reach new
worldwide audiences through three new market opportunities including:
- Global rights to the National Geographic brand for
expedition cruises, which will enable Lindblad Expeditions to increase its
fleet capacity of 17 intimately scaled exploration ships and expand into
additional market segments.
- Leverage The Walt Disney Company as an affiliate of National
Geographic Partners to distribute products through Disney’s powerful sales
channels and support robust joint marketing campaigns.
- Enhancements to the onboard guest experience with more
immersive storytelling and experiences connected to the National Geographic
brand.
“The extension—and, most importantly, the expansion—of our
strategic relationship with National Geographic will enable us to significantly
grow our business and each of our brands on an international scale and reach
more citizen explorers than ever before,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, Founder and
Chief Executive Officer, Lindblad Expeditions.
He added, “As we globalize our operations, the power of
worldwide branding rights, uplifted by the marketing and sales engine of
National Geographic and The Walt Disney Company, is incredibly exciting and
will be key to our continued growth. Building on our company’s half-century of
safe and responsible exploration and long list of industry innovations,
together, we will continue to craft world-opening expeditions for curious
explorers, develop more meaningful guest programs on land and onboard our growing
fleet, and expose new audiences to the beauty and wonder of our shared planet.
Over the past two decades, our intuitive connection and shared ethos has
positively impacted hundreds of thousands of guests, and I look forward to our
next two decades of industry-leading growth.”
National Geographic touchpoints are found throughout each
awe-inspiring expedition. Under the new agreement, guests will enjoy more
National Geographic content throughout their trip and enhanced in-field
interactions with National Geographic Experts—renowned individuals from the
worlds of science, exploration, conservation, and education.
“Lindblad Expeditions’ expertise, history of responsible and
safe exploration and outstanding guest experience makes them the right
organization to help bring the National Geographic Expeditions brand to life,”
said Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures &
Expeditions and Disney Institute.
She added, “We are proud to associate our iconic travel
brand with an operator with such a rich pioneering heritage that is committed
to operating inspiring and meaningful travel experiences to the world’s most
compelling destinations to grow the National Geographic Expeditions brand on a
global scale, while bringing high-quality hospitality, customer service
standards and marketing and sales expertise.”
With its history in expedition cruising, Lindblad
Expeditions has carried citizen explorers on journeys of deep discovery to the
planet's farthest reaches for more than half a century. For the past two
decades, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have collaborated through
a shared mission: To foster a spirit of discovery and community by blending
science, nature, and purpose-driven travel.
The brands and their guests have progressed important
conservation priorities, educational opportunities and supported environmental
scientific research at local, regional, and global levels, during thousands of
expeditions designed for discovery, highlighting the wonder of our world and
our collective role in protecting it.
Through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund,
$20 million has been raised to support numerous conservation, education and
science initiatives around the globe.
Together with the National Geographic Society, Lindblad
Expeditions has brought more than 365 educators into the world through the
Grosvenors Teachers Fellowship program to experience expeditions. Those
educators, in return, pass that knowledge on to their students.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
