Marozaite, who co-founded the ECN in April while working as Albatros Expeditions’ business development manager, said she wanted “focus exclusively” on growing the network’s membership. 

“Since the launch of the network, we have been humbled by the incredible support we received both from expedition cruise companies and the travel trade community, cementing our belief that this is a timely and needed organisation,” Marozaite said. 

“We are just getting started and I look forward to taking the ECN to the next level and raising awareness of this incredible form of travel amongst the travel trade”.

Her decision to work as a full-time chief executive was welcomed by co-founder and chair Martin Johnson, who said Marozaite’s “exclusive dedication” would help ECN with its “ambitious plans for the future”.

Johnson added: “With 18 global expedition cruise companies and 700 travel trade professionals who have already signed up to our network, we anticipate continuing to accelerate our growth and continue delivering value to our members."

Earlier this year, Johnson and Marozaite told TTG the expanded ECN would now focus on launching in-person agent events, as well as transitioning the website into a “one-stop shop” for agents, providing trade partners with everything they need to sell expedition cruising. 

TTG will also host ECN’s first-ever virtual conference over 19-20 September, which will see expedition cruise suppliers come together for two mornings of themed panel discussions and in-depth agent training.