Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic expand their partnership

This continues an already 20-year partnership.

Global rights, distribution/joint marketing, on-board enhancements

The new commitment through 2040 will allow Lindblad Expeditions to reach new worldwide audiences through three market opportunities: global rights to the National Geographic brand for expedition cruises, the ability to distribute through NatGeo parent Walt Disney Co. via its sales channels and joint marketing campaigns, and enhancements to the on-board experience with more connections to the NatGeo brand.

Lindblad Expeditions called this a milestone in its global growth strategy, with the expanded relationship elevating the brand’s position as an expedition cruise leader and increasing the company's earnings potential by opening larger addressable markets.

Exclusivity

This is by virtue of a global license to use the National Geographic Expeditions brand to market, sell and operate co-branded trips on expedition ships with exclusivity on trips marketed in the US and Canada for ships up to 295 passengers. The agreement includes the ability to expand that exclusive license globally and to ships with capacity of up to 530 passengers.

Plus, the parties have a global license to market co-branded river cruises.

The power of Disney sales channels

According to Lindblad, one of the most impactful elements of this new agreement is the distribution of the company’s products through The Walt Disney Co.’s powerful sales channels. This distribution, the company said, will be instrumental in reaching new-to-expedition and new-to-brand travelers around the world.

'The extension — and, mostly importantly, the expansion — of our strategic relationship with National Geographic will enable us to grow our business and each of our brands on an international scale and reach more citizen explorers than ever before,' said Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder and CEO, Lindblad Expeditions. 'As we globalize our operations, the power of worldwide branding rights, uplifted by the marketing and sales engine of National Geographic and The Walt Disney Co., is incredibly exciting and will be key to our continued growth.'

He added: 'Over the past two decades, our intuitive connection and shared ethos has positively impacted hundreds of thousands of guests, and I look forward to our next two decades of industry-leading growth.'

More NatGeo content and interaction with experts

Today, National Geographic touchpoints are found throughout each expedition, which are crafted to educate, inspire and transform. Every expedition is accompanied by a certified photography instructor with National Geographic training to help travelers hone their skills.

Under the new agreement, travelers will get more National Geographic content, from the moment they book until after they return home, and enhanced in-field interactions with National Geographic experts — renowned individuals in science, exploration, conservation and education.

Inspiring and meaningful travel

'We are proud to associate our iconic travel brand with an operator with such a rich pioneering heritage that is committed to operating inspiring and meaningful travel experiences to the world’s most compelling destinations to grow the National Geographic Expeditions brand on a global scale, while bringing high-quality hospitality, customer service standards and marketing and sales expertise,' said Stephanie Young, president, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions and Disney Institute.

See also 'Sven Lindblad: Larger ships "possible," river cruises to play greater role'