Lindblad prepares to tackle local market
![Lindblad prepares to tackle local market](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australia could generate sales of up to US$50 million for Lindblad Expeditions within three years as the New York-based operation prepares to bring the Orion into its fleet.
Founder and president Sven Lindblad said he saw “huge potential” in the local market with its marketing efforts in Australia set to outstrip the rest of the world combined, outside of the US.
Speaking to Travel Today at Orion’s North Sydney office, Lindblad said the ship should no longer be seen in isolation by the Australian market but part of Lindblad Exhibitions 10-ship fleet offering voyages across the globe.
Lindblad’s nine other vessels, four of which are seasonal charters, will be offered to Orion’s 3000 past passengers, and the wider Australian market, while Orion's new-look itineraries will be sold to Lindblad’s American customer base.
“I see huge potential in Australia. I see potential to bring Americans to this part of the world and I see potential to take people from here to other parts of the world,” he said. “Australians and Americans have a lot in common and I see no reason on earth why we shouldn’t be able to develop something of significance here.”
Americans make up 90% of Lindblad’s 18,000 annual passengers but once its marketing and distribution strategy has been bedded down in Australia – plans are currently being worked through – it will ensure a greater mix of American and Australians on board its vessels, he said.
Lindblad admitted it has previously “not made a big effort” in Australia but still managed to generate approximately US$3m worth of sales last year.
That should increase to US$25m to US$30m in two to three years which, combined with Orion’s Australia-based revenue, should swell overall sales to between US$40m and US$50m.
Lindblad Exhibitions New York-based head of sales Jacinta McEvoy, currently in Australia, will remain here “for as long as it takes for us to understand and how to approach this market”, Lindblad said.
“We have to understand the retail networks, the wholesalers, the public,” he said. “We have to understand how the Internet works down here, how people use it. We just need to understand the landscape. It’s all a discovery for us.”
The Orion, which will renamed National Geographic Orion from March next year to bring it in line with five other Lindblad-operated National Geographic branded ships, will be equipped with more expedition-style features. They include an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV), scuba-diving equipment and 24 ocean-going kayaks.
Staff will be doubled to 12 to include naturalists, historians, a dive master, expedition leaders and National Geographic photographers.
Capacity meanwhile we be reduced from 106 to 102 to cater for single travellers.
Lindblad acknowledged that the shift to a more genuine expedition-style experience may ostracise some of Orion’s 3000 past passengers who are more used to a softer product.
But he stressed it was taking nothing away from what has made the Orion popular with Australians, just adding a new product dimension.
“I am sure we will ostracise some past passengers but none of what people love about the Orion is being sacrificed,” Lindblad insisted. “We are not going to start giving them biscuits for lunch and tinned beans for dinner in order to provide more expeditions and because we have divers on board.
“If we were to ostracise people because we were not respectful of what they value then I would feel bad but if we ostracise them because we are becoming more interesting, well….”
He added that activities on its voyages appeal to a cross section of travellers, and do not cater purely for hardcore expedition seekers.
“We are very orientated to providing as many options as possible,” he said. “So you can hike or just do a short walk. Another group may be honing their photographic skills while others may be snorkeling, diving or kayaking.”
Orion’s inaugural voyage under its new identity next March will go from Auckland to Cairns via Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea before heading to Darwin and a series of Kimberley voyages.
It will then cross the Pacific for the first time as far as Easter Island before embarking on an Antarctic season from South America. Orion has previously operated its Antarctic cruises from Australia.
Lindblad said approaching Antarctic from South America and taking in the Falkland Islands and South Georgia is “more interesting and diverse”. The alternative route from Australia is also heavily dependent on the weather while Commonwealth Bay, a regular stop off, is effectively out of bounds because of the presence of a 65km iceberg.
“No one is going to get into Commonwealth Bay for years to come unless you are a heavy duty ice breaker,” Lindblad said.
Meanwhile, Orion Expedition Cruises chief operating officer Joel Katz, said the number of early bookings of National Geographic Orion's inaugural voyages have been "unprecedented".
"We expect them to sell out soon," he said.
Lindblad added: "We have had huge interest already for Orion from the US. I am convinced the ship will be full, all of the time."
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
lindblad expedition cruises orion orion expedition cruises sven lindbladLatest News
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash
It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024
AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Journey Beyond launches first brand-led campaign during Paris Olympics
Journey Beyond is pushing the boundaries. On The Ghan, you can't even see them!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Ascott Australia partners with Hotels for Trees
Hoteliers can take a 'Lyf' out of this book and improve their green credentials.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Victoria’s TAC Top Tourism Town Award winners for 2024
Keep looking in our own backyard. There are plenty of places to go.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Uniworld partners with Camilla Franks with Egyptian-inspired collection
We are in de-Nile about making puns combining Crocs and leopard prints, given this luxe partnership.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Aussies at Paris Olympics anxious about travel risks, with incidents already recorded
Fortunately one of our biggest gold medal hopes still held onto his pedals.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Banyan Tree Seaview Villas elevates Laguna Lang Co
If you've ever played golf in the tropics, start early. LIke way early. It's hot! Damn hot.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales
Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Wendy Wu unveils new Japan travel brochure and itineraries
Get outta town! Off-beat Japan will be a lot less congested we figure than the usual tourist hotspots.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
UK and Europe event organisers look to venues with sustainability integrity, ICC Sydney survey finds
Here in Sydney, you can even eat the table centrepieces. Although we advise they be cooked first.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Renos Rologas new general manager ANZ for FCM Travel
Two decades in the travel game! Let's hope Renos is in for the long haul at FCM.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Untamed Escapes to offer Cultural Day Tour from Port Lincoln in partnership with Maba Idi
International visitors travel thousands of kilometres for this experience. Time to share.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Luxe Finish Line Penthouses offer the best vantage point for the finish of the Sydney-Hobart
Long have we been following the yachts leavings Sydney Harbour and one day, we will see the finish, from this place!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
In a busy world, proximity to nature is the new luxury
Forget Raffles, treat your nearest and dearest to a stay at the local campsite. They'll be super close to nature.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Circular Quay welcomes new Korean dining experience to Sydney Place
We once took Korean-American chef David Chang around Koreatown, Eastwood. Not happy about driving rain, loved the food.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
MSC Cruises unveils a new outdoor kid-friendly attraction on World America
Drop your kid down the jaws of a shark and they come out 11 decks below. Sounds good to me.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy
Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Australian travellers abandon peer-to-peer stays and gravitate back to big hotels, survey finds
Doom scrolling Airbnb for the best-possible stay options two days out from departure was wearing us down, apparently.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Quark Expeditions launches the Ultimate Summer in the Arctic sweepstakes for travel advisors
Summer in the Arctic still means it's freezing. But hopefully a winning sweepstakes tickets will warm your cockles.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘I bet it smells weird’ – Internet divided over floating restaurant in China
I you are still feeling peckish at the end of your meal, their fish tank is full. But can you eat koi?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Turn up in the Northern Territory this Spring’ campaign deals
Agents and airlines get all hot and sweaty over these enticing deals. Or did someone just turn the air-conditioning up?
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘Like nothing on earth’: Saudi Arabia’s new Treyam resort set in a Star Wars-style landscape
As long as Jar Jar Binks is not there, we would like a seat at the Mos Eisley Cantina please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Raffles Hotels and Resorts is set to open in Tokyo in 2028
Time to get your vision boards at the ready! Raffles is landing in Tokyo!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
‘A true honour’ – Andrew Stark wins Flight Centre Director’s Award for the second time
Congratulations Andrew! If you're a fan of British reality TV you might notice a familiar face.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Club Med debuts travel agent portal 2.0 with bonus prize for tops sales
See those people by the pool. That could be you. Start selling through the portal people!
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Envoyage announces 2024 Australian Icons and rewards event in the Maldives
We were going to edit our name into the list but we chickened out.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
HIF Global signs collaboration agreement with Airbus on eFuels
We know it's a good thing but can a jet fuel geek out there send in a diagram explaining this please.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Crystal announces release dates for 2026 itineraries
If you have started collecting 2026 itineraries then here is another one for you.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Cairns Airport unveils display of support for FNQ youth
If you were craving some winter sun now you have a cultural reason for booking a flight to Cairns.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Viking announces six new cruise itineraries
Now's the time to start learning Putonghua, Nihongo and Lhasa. Or maybe even know where these are spoken.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Join Qatar Airways, Celebrity Cruises & Klook – Showcase Your Brand at Click Frenzy Travel August 2024!
Clicking calmly will also be welcome when it comes to this particular deal. Click calmly here to find out more.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
InsideAsia Tours launches new incentive that doubles agent commission
Double commission! We like the sound of that. Hope their system doesn't crash as a result.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Push to revive Parramatta’s iconic Roxy Theatre into entertainment destination
Long have we wished for this iconic heritage cinema to be revived as a tourist destination. Still waiting.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Qatar Airways signs an expansion to Boeing 777-9 aircraft order
Known as a quiet rural town in England, the entire global aviation industry now has its eyes on Farnborough.
![](https://www.travelweekly.com.au/wp-content/themes/bandtv1/img/default.png)
Flight Centre shares down following revised profit guidance
The stock market moves fast. What will the rest of the week hold for Flight Centre?