“We wanted to test the waters this year with virtual events, and I think it was the right thing to do,” chair Martin Johnson told TTG. “But we’ve been asked for them and therefore next year you’ll see physical events from us.”
Launched earlier this year to give expedition cruising “its own pace and voice”, the network has announced a series of online events which are set to take place throughout the rest of the year.
They have been designed to help agents make the most of the network’s resources and expertise, with topics spanning the global expedition cruising sector (19 July) and how to sell luxury experiences (17 August).
“We try to involve many partners to give our travel trade members a real sense of what these different expedition cruising brands can offer,” said ECN chief executive Akvile Marozaite.
Johnson said this approach would provide agent members access to a wide range of products they “wouldn’t even know of elsewhere".
Since its inception in mid-April, the ECN has attracted significant interest from agents and the wider expedition cruising sector, with membership running to almost 500 trade partners and 17 operators.
Upon signing ECN’s 17th member, US firm UnCruise Adventures, Johnson said the network’s rapid expansion had highlighted the need for a space where lines and operators and agents can connect.
“A big part of what we do is connect those expedition cruise members with travel trade in the UK,” Johnson continued. “For all members, regardless of their size, it’s a great way of connecting with travel trade members they haven’t spoken to – or even been aware of before.”
The ECN is also transitioning its website into a “one-stop shop” for agents, providing trade partners everything they need to confidently sell expedition cruising, such as training and – soon – digital brochures.
Looking ahead, Marozaite and Johnson’s focus is on growing membership. “We want 2,000 trade members by the end of the year – and at the moment, we’re pretty much on target for that,” Johnson added
