The former UK boss of AE Expeditions has revealed details of a new B2C platform, ExplorEarth, which aims to generate expedition cruise leads for agencies and operators.
Jos Dewing left AE Expeditions earlier this year to co-found the website, which has now soft-launched in the UK, with him as chief executive.
He explained: “We support operators and agents looking for new customers.
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“Our website promotes our destinations, ships and cruises, and our matching-engine sends our partners the leads that they need.
“Furthermore, for clients who are increasingly aware of sustainability, our site guides them through the answers from experts, meaning you don’t have to have these specialist conversations with our prospective leads.”
He said the ExplorEarth platform sends highly qualified leads and not just clicks, thanks to a process of “complex lead scoring and qualification tools”.
It costs agents £1,500 per year to be on a platform with a profile page and get access to lead generation tools. Agents will pay additionally per lead, based on the scoring of the lead.
Mundy Cruising has already signed up, with a total of about 20 agencies being targeted in 2024, as well as 12 operators.
Alex Loizou, sales, marketing and operations director at Mundy Cruising, commented: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with ExplorEarth and that we can be involved in this unique and much needed media brand that we’re confident will capitalise on the lack of focus that expedition cruising gets in much of the media.
“With a clear vision to inspire and education their aims align strongly with that of our Mundy Adventures brand and the partners we work with and we’re certain it will be a huge success.”
Alongside Dewing, the team at ExplorEarth numbers eight, with chief technical officer Jon Waring, two software engineers, two content editors, a founder’s executive and a private venture investor.
A team of 18 travel writers and experts is also contributing to the site, which is next set to expand in the US, followed by the Asia Pacific region.
Mark Stratton, travel and sustainability writer, commented: “Modern travellers want more intimately adventurous and authentic experiences yet in smaller vessels that embrace the technology to travel greener and more sustainably. A platform that marries those goals to evolving customer demand is long overdue.”
Before his role as EMEA managing director at AE Expeditions, Dewing had previously worked as managing director at Voyages to Discovery as well as roles at SeaDream Yacht Club, The Cruise Line and All Leisure Holidays.
He continued: “There are millions of prospective expedition and small-ship adventure seekers that have not yet been engaged by the sector – from a younger demographic to a transition-traveller; safari, nature/activity breaks, cultural touring and even mainstream cruising.
“ExplorEarth attracts and inspires the traveller to embark on their next cruise in the sector we represent.
“I spent many years and marketing budgets looking for a platform like ExplorEarth, but it didn’t exist.
“It’s just too easy to spend a lot of money and get zero returns in this sector, especially when budgets are being stretched.
“At ExplorEarth, we elevate an expedition and adventure cruise product to its rightful audience and find qualified new leads and clients through rich search tools and powerful media content.”