Launched earlier this year to give expedition cruising “its own pace and voice”, the network has called on agents to invest more time in learning about expedition cruising through its dedicated online training hub, which has more than 100 training videos, covering cruising trends, destinations, itineraries and ships.

The plea coincides with the release of new data from the ECN highlighting the extent to which the trade’s relationship with its 18 members could yet grow.

More than half of the ECN’s members currently generate in excess of 50% of their business through trade channels; however, only a third of these members generate more than 20% of their expedition cruise sales from the UK travel trade.

"The UK trade has an enormous opportunity to develop its sales of expedition cruise," said the ECN.

Nevertheless, the ECN said 70% of expedition cruise operators have seen their sales grow this year, with 25% recording sales on par with 2022.

"2023 was the right year to launch the Expedition Cruise Network," said chair Martin Johnson. "The appetite and enthusiasm for the sector is unprecedented, and we are now proud to have more than 800 travel trade members signed up to our database."

Earlier this year, Johnson told TTG the ECN was on track to reach 2,000 trade members by the end of the year.

The ECN revealed some of the initial findings from its 2023 annual insights report at its first member and media networking event on Tuesday (17 October).

A survey of trade professionals revealed Africa was the most sought-after destination for new expedition cruise product and routes, named by 40% of respondents, followed by the Indian Ocean (35%) and Asia (27%).