Lindblad hails Orion’s Australian market access

Lindblad hails Orion’s Australian market access
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Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has called the acquisition of Orion the “best thing we ever did”.

Sven Lindblad insisted the ship is just a tool, and the purchase of Orion offered a lot more than a ship.

“Orion has allowed us to rather swiftly enter Australia,” Sven said.

Sven was joined by Australian business development manager Jeremy Lindblad at the launch of the 2014 Explorations brochure.

“Our goal is to share the wealth, to run the Orion the way it has been run… but also to have Australian folk experience what we have abroad,” Jeremy said.

The addition of the newly named National Geographic Orion brings the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic fleet to ten ships.

“We’ve seen some really good numbers come out of Australia already,” Jeremy said.

He reported 300 requests for the new brochure prior to release this Friday, and credited the interest to loyal Orion clientele as well as a new market.

“The Lindblad Expedition demographic skews just a bit younger,” Jeremy said.

 “I think we are going to appeal to a broader range of folks with the offerings that we have,” he said.

The National Geographic Orion will have expedition tools such as ROV submersibles, diving for 24 people, underwater specialists and kayaks.

The renovated ship will travel around the world in 2014, and eleven unique itineraries from September 2014 to May 2015.

Sven Lindblad outlined an intention to voyage to more remote destinations. "I'm mesmerised by the seeming lack of interest for Indonesia by Australians," he said. 

The new 120-page 2014 Explorations brochure features four journeys to Indonesia on the National Geographic Orion.

“If I’m bored on a Saturday and I feel like travelling I can read this book and it makes me feel like I’m travelling,” Jeremy said.

 

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