Expedition cruising in the
Kimberley region of Australia is
about to get some new, healthy
competition, says Sven Lindblad.
THE founder of Lindblad Expeditions, Sven
Lindblad says his purchase of the soon-to-be
former Orion Expedition Cruises (CW 07 Mar),
will add some new spice to the local market.
Speaking to Cruise Weekly during a visit
to Australia last week, Lindblad said he had
great respect for other companies operating
in the Kimberley region but that his operation
brought a new diverse option to the region.
Lindblad praised two particular operators but
said he didn’t look at other operations in the
same way most would look at a competitor.
“Both Coral Princess and True North are
really good companies. They offer something
slightly different, True North being much
smaller and Coral Princess being in the middle
in terms of size and they have different
emphasis on price points so that’s good,”
Lindblad told CW.
Over the next year, Lindblad says he plans
to closely study the Australian appetite for
expedition cruising and that if there is a strong
response to the products he offers, there was
potential for a larger presence down under.
“If we can grow this market significantly,
which I believe we probably can, then it would
lead to expansion here. But I don’t know yet”.
The Lindblad Expeditions founder said
passengers aboard his vessels would be aware
of ocean conservation programs he supports
along with the National Geographic Society.
“We’re kind of zealous about education,
conservation and exploration,” Lindblad added.
Together, the two organisations invest approx
$1m per year into a number of conservation
activities and educational programs, including
a teachers program where educators are
invited to join Lindblad ships to participate in
research and to learn about the environment.
“The National Geographic Explorer – our
flagship – has an ongoing ocean health
campaign that we work on and work together
with scientists and raise monies towards things
that relate to ocean preservation.
“The ocean is in real trouble on a global basis
and as far as we’re concerned, people who
travel have two ways they can be of value.
“One is, they can understand the challenges
better and become part of that conversation
and the other is just to help with resources we
need,” Lindblad concluded.
