Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) has finalised the programme for its 2025 conference, which will include a focus on destinations beyond the polar regions and tailored content for agents who are new to selling the sector.
This will be the second annual ECN Conference; nine of the 25 expedition cruise operators who are exhibiting have signed up for the first time, and ECN Chairman Martin Johnson said there are ‘another couple of names potentially to come’. The new suppliers are A&K, Adventure Canada, Coral Expeditions, Delfin, Oniric Safaris, Galaxy Expeditions, Kontiki, Polar Quest and 66 South.
They’ll join other brands such as HX Expeditions, Ponant and Silversea Cruises, many of whom also have representatives taking part in conference sessions, which will take place on both mornings of the two-day show. The afternoons will be set aside for one-to-one meetings.
More than 130 travel agents have registered, a 30% increase on last year, which Martin attributes to ‘a significant surge in interest and awareness around the potential of expedition cruising over the past year’.
He said: “Throughout the year, more than 75 people have attended ECN’s full-day, in-person Expedition Cruise Bootcamp events. Our webinar programme has also continued to go from strength to strength, featuring an ever-expanding variety of topics and attracting over 650 attendees across the year.
“As a result, we have tailored the content for our second conference day to better suit those who are new to, or developing in, the expedition cruise sector and this has been reflected in our registrations, with nearly 30% of delegates identifying themselves as new to selling expedition cruises.
“There is now generally strong awareness of the industry and what expedition cruising is all about. However, what we’re increasingly seeing is the travel trade seeking a deeper understanding of what sets each cruise operator and ship apart.
“We now count 28 expedition cruise members in our network, offering incredible variety from sailing boats that carry just eight guests to the world’s leading expedition cruise operators.”
Representatives from destinations including Vanuatu, Tourism Western Australia and Cuba will also be at the conference.
“We’ve seen a significant rise in interest in destinations beyond the polar regions,” said Martin.
“While Antarctica and the Arctic remain two of the industry’s key destinations, expedition cruises are now exploring incredible places such as Australia, Indonesia, Micronesia, Vanuatu, Baja California, Alaska, and many more.
“Agents are eager to learn about these new and exciting opportunities, and this will be a highlight of our second day ‘Love Letter To’ session, where six senior expedition cruise figures will share their favourite expedition cruising destinations and what makes them so special.
“The destinations are eager to engage with the travel trade to highlight the opportunities for expedition cruising in their regions, as well as to promote what’s available for travellers pre- and post-cruise.”
ECN is also reminding agents to nominate, enter and vote in its awards, which will take place at the end of the first day of the conference, onboard luxury Thames riverboat the Dixie Queen. There are four agent categories, including best newcomer and best individual expedition cruise seller. Entries close on 30 July.
“We’ve had an excellent response, with strong entry numbers across the board. Compared to the same time last year, entries are up by around 30% overall,” Martin said.
“I strongly encourage anyone thinking about entering to do so and put their hat in the ring.
“We’re incredibly excited to celebrate the very best of the expedition cruise industry aboard one of London’s largest boats. We’ll sail under an open Tower Bridge and enjoy a full three-course dinner and the awards presentations as we sail down the River Thames.”
The 2025 conference will take place on 30 September and 1 October at Glaziers Hall, London.
Find out more about the awards here and find out more about the ECN Conference here.
