UK trade advisory board created by Lindblad Expeditions

A UK travel advisory board has been created by Lindblad Expeditions to underscore the line’s commitment to growth and support for agents.

 

A select group of “respected and forward-thinking” travel professionals has been recruited by the operator of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand.

  

The group includes Panache Cruises chief executive James Cole, Atas director Claire Brighton, Wildfoot Travel commercial director James Turner, Mundy Cruising sales and marketing director Alex Loizou and Fred Olsen Travel retail director Paul Hardwick.

 

They will serve as a strategic sounding board for Lindblad Expeditions’ commercial team.

 

Four virtual meetings a year will be held as well as one in-person event, the first of which will take place in London on  October 2.

 

Each board member plus guest has been provided with an expedition cruise to either the Galapagos, Antarctica or the Arctic.

 

Senior vice president of sales Kathi Riddle said: “Our partners in the UK have been instrumental in growing our presence in one of the most dynamic travel markets in the world.

 

“By establishing this board, we are deepening our investment in the region and ensuring we’re listening closely to the people who know this market best - our trusted travel advisor community.”

 

UK head of sales Danielle Bates added: “Lindblad Expeditions is a ‘founded by family’ business and we want to create this same feeling of family with our agent community in the UK.

 

“The introduction of the advisory board is our first step towards doing this and I’m confident that our founding members will play a crucial role in guiding our growth in the UK and navigating the evolving expedition travel market.”