PONANT is experiencing a post-pandemic global sales boom, recording the best quarterly sales result in its 35-year history for the three months to 31 Mar. The new record was 80% above the same period in 2019, with the Asia Pacific market contributing almost 21% of the volume, according to Chief...
PONANT is experiencing a post-pandemic global sales boom, recording the best quarterly sales result in its 35-year history for the three months to 31 Mar.
The new record was 80% above the same period in 2019, with the Asia Pacific market contributing almost 21% of the volume, according to Chief Sales Marketing & Communications Officer Herve Bellaiche.
“This result not only reflects our industry recovery but also highlights Ponant’s ability to stand out in its market,” he said.
The figures were released during a visit to Australia by Chief Executive Officer Herve Gastinel, who’s pictured second from right in Sydney yesterday with some of the Asia Pacific team, including Director of Marketing & Communications Charles Boutet; CEO Chris Hall; Chair Sarina Bratton; and Commercial Director Deb Corbett.
“The unparalleled quality of service, which has made the company’s reputation over the last 35 years, is more than ever trusted by passengers,” Bellaiche added.
He reiterated Ponant’s small ship strategy, saying “whilst we remain vigilant about the changes impacting our industry and can swiftly adapt our practices when necessary, we are more than ever confident in our business model: small ships that are respectful of their destinations and environmental issues, with an even higher quality of service”.
Gastinel and Bratton last week experienced the Kimberley aboard the recently refurbished Le Ponant sailing vessel, which the company has dedicated to the Asia Pacific market.
The renovation to Ponant’s inaugural vessel saw her previous 32 staterooms consolidated into just 16 large luxury spaces, with a 1:1 passenger-to-crew ratio.
Ponant is also continuing to build its fleet, with the most recent addition being the hybrid LNG/electric Le Commandant Charcot polar-class expedition ship, which takes guests to the most remote regions of the planet.
An announcement is expected shortly with further details about a planned 14th vessel which aims to have “no impact on the environment when sailing” by combining several non-fossil fuel energy sources, including wind propulsion, like Le Ponant.
The cruise line has produced a scope of work for the new ship including technical specifications for a tender process, with the aim of having it in service by 2025.
The zero-emissions newbuild continues Ponant’s ongoing sustainabilty strategy, which includes key environmental commitments and places R&D into new technologies at the core of the company’s growth strategy.
