Expedition Cruise Pioneer Announces 17-Year
Relationship Extension to Include Global Branding Rights That
Enable Expansion to New Market Segments, Increased Worldwide Sales
and Marketing, and Enhanced Onboard Guest Experiences to Drive
Growth
NEW
YORK, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Lindblad
Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIND), the recognized
global leader and a pioneer in the expedition cruises and adventure
travel industry, announced today 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
industry-defining 20-year relationship for 17 additional years,
with a commitment through 2040 that will allow the brand to reach
new worldwide audiences through three compelling 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 of The Walt Disney Company as an affiliate of National
Geographic Partners to distribute product through Disney's powerful
sales channels and support robust joint marketing campaigns;
and
- enhancements to the onboard guest experience with more
immersive storytelling and experiences connected to the National
Geographic brand.
A milestone in Lindblad Expeditions' global growth strategy,
this expanded relationship will elevate the brand's position as the
leader in expedition cruise, the breakout travel trend of the
decade. It will increase the earnings potential of the company by
opening larger addressable markets and potential expansion into
additional market segments through: a global license to use the
National Geographic Expeditions brand to market, sell and operate
co-branded trips on expedition ships; exclusivity on trips marketed
in the United States and
Canada for ships up to 295
passengers, with the ability to expand that exclusive license
globally and to ships with guest capacity of up to 530 passengers;
and a global license to market co-branded river cruises.
One of the most impactful elements of this new agreement is the
distribution of the company's products through The Walt Disney
Company's powerful sales channels. This distribution will be
instrumental in reaching key new-to-expedition and new-to-brand
travelers around the world, thereby growing the company's consumer
base to drive additional capacity and earnings growth in the years
ahead. The combination of the educational travel expertise of
National Geographic, the marketing and sales expertise of The Walt
Disney Company, and the expedition cruise operations history of
Lindblad Expeditions will inspire generations of new explorers
across the globe and fuel record growth.
"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. "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 on board 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."
Today, National Geographic touchpoints are found throughout each
awe-inspiring expedition, which are expertly crafted to educate,
inspire, and transform, based on the belief there is always more to
be discovered. Every expedition is accompanied by a certified
photography instructor, with National Geographic training to help
guests hone their skills. Under the new agreement, guests will
enjoy more National Geographic content throughout each step of
their expedition, from the moment they book until after they return
home; as well as 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. "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 pioneering history in expedition cruising, Lindblad
Expeditions has carried citizen explorers on journeys of deep
discovery to the farthest reaches of the planet 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 to highlight the wonder of our shared world
and our collective role in protecting it. Through the Lindblad
Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, the company and its guests
have raised $20 million 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, and those educators in return pass that knowledge on
to their students.
Lindblad Expeditions will host an investor call this morning at
8:30 a.m. eastern time to discuss the
expanded relationship with National Geographic. The conference call
can be accessed by dialing 1-833-470-1428 (United States), 1-404-975-4839
(International). The Access Code is 549242. The release and a live
audio webcast of the call will be available in the investor
relations section of the Company's website at
investors.expeditions.com. A replay of the call, along with a
transcript, will be available on the website within 48 hours of its
completion.
To learn more about the strategic relationship between Lindblad
Expeditions and National Geographic, click here.
About Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic:
Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic reveals the beauty and
wonder of the world by leading high quality, authentic and
immersive travel to the world's most remarkable and wild places.
The brand offers expeditions in 120+ destinations across all seven
continents for curious and discerning travelers seeking to
experience the world from a new perspective. For reservations or
additional information on Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
voyages to some of the most beautiful, remote, and fascinating
places on Earth, visit www.expeditions.com, call (855)
734-3271 to speak to an Expedition Specialist, or contact a travel
advisor. Connect with Lindblad Expeditions on Facebook,
Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and
Pinterest.
About Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.:
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIND) is a global
provider of small ship expeditions and adventure travel experiences
recognized as the category leader for its pioneering, cutting edge
programming and conservation commitment. Lindblad focuses on
ship-based voyages through its Lindblad Expeditions brand and on
land-based travel through its subsidiaries, Natural Habitat,
Inc., Off the Beaten Path LLC, DuVine Cycling + Adventure
Co., and Classic Journeys, LLC.
Together with National Geographic, Lindblad Expeditions offers
immersive travel experiences to inspire people to explore and care
about the planet. The organizations work in tandem to produce
innovative marine expedition programs and to promote conservation
and sustainable tourism around the world. Guests interact with and
learn from leading scientists, naturalists and researchers while
discovering stunning natural environments, above and below the sea,
through state-of-the-art exploration tools.
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SOURCE Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc.