Around 150 agents will hear from leading figures across the adventure and expedition cruise sectors at the first Clia & Atas Expedition and Adventure forum.
Spaces for the trade are still available free of charge at the one-day event in Manchester on March 5, where filmmaker and biologist Patrick Aryee and travel writer Jamie Lafferty will discuss emerging destinations.
Alastair Newton, who is director of Ponant’s partnership with National Geographic; Exodus Travels photographer and guide Paul Goldstein; and an expert panel of Janet Parton, from Cosmos and Avalon Waterways; Daniel Pawlyn, from Intrepid; and Aishling McLoughlin, from Hapag Lloyd Cruises, will also make appearances.
Cruise trade association Clia UK & Ireland and the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) have teamed up for the first time to host the forum.
Andy Harmer, Clia UK and Ireland director, said: “The event recognises that there is a lot of crossover with people that sell expedition cruise and adventure holidays because often you are talking about similar kind of experiences to customers.
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“It is nice to broaden out the conversation. There are a lot of travel agents and tour operators that sell adventure holiday experiences that might not have thought about selling cruise, so it is a good opportunity to talk about that.”
Harmer said 150 agents were expected to attend the event at the Victoria Warehouse, Trafford Wharf Road.
On the expert panel, Harmer added: “The three of them will bring it all together and what can agents do after this event to increase their sales. The important thing is getting to know all the suppliers.
“What is great is we’re talking about destinations, wildlife and experiences that go well beyond other holiday type.”
Harmer also added that suppliers’ sustainability efforts would also be covered during the forum.
To register for the event, click here.