The "This is Polar" event will take place at Ullswater on 18 March and has been designed to offer an in-depth experience of Quark product that it claims can’t be replicated on traditional ship visits.

“We host hundreds of agents each year on ship visits and the retreat is to offer a different kind of immersive experience for out trade partners, we look forward to bringing to life every year,” Nick Hindle, national business development manager at Quark Expeditions, told TTG. “This will allow us to showcase everything the brand has to offer.”

Participants on the retreat will have the opportunity to kayak, boat and hike, as well as the chance to win a trip for two on an Arctic voyage. The dining will also be inspired by the ‘tundra to table’ ethos of Quark, which sees guests enjoy authentic Inuit cuisine prepared by local chefs.

“It will really be like a mini-expedition,” Hindle explained. Outdoor activities will run alongside sales training and panel discussions, including a talk by Rose Brown, Quark Expeditions' guest services representative. “Rose, who has more than 10 years’ experience in expedition cruising, will explain what a day in the life onboard is like," Hindle continued. 

Hindle explained the atmosphere would be casual and there would be no dress code: “It will all be very informal, with no galas or anything like that. People will be able to wear what makes them comfortable.”

To secure one of the 50 available places on the retreat, agents must explain why they’d be a worthy candidate to join the retreat in one sentence.

Advisors who aren’t successful will still be able to engage in Quark Expeditions’ trade support programme, including its "Polar and Pints" training nights, coffee mornings and ship visits.

Hindle’s enthusiasm was echoed by Becky Francis, EMEA and China senior sales director at Quark Expeditions. She said: “We’re thrilled to bring the spirit of the polar regions to the heart of the Lake District. This retreat is designed to offer our trade partners a deeper understanding of what makes a Quark Expeditions journey truly extraordinary, through shared experiences, expert insights, and the sense of adventure that defines everything we do.”