The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is set to engage UK and Ireland agents with its first roadshow.
- Spanning Birmingham, Manchester, and Dublin, the events will provide direct interaction with key suppliers.
- Dates for the roadshow are April 23-25, hosted at noted venues in each city.
- The roadshow is designed to address the industry’s knowledge gaps about expedition cruises.
- Prominent suppliers include Albatros Expeditions, Scenic, and Lindblad Expeditions.
The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is inviting agents to its first series of roadshows in the UK and Ireland. Scheduled from April 23 to 25, the events will be hosted in Birmingham, Manchester, and Dublin. The aim is to provide travel agents with direct communication opportunities with suppliers, thus enabling them to confidently market products that appeal to clients interested in exploring some of the most remote and exciting regions globally.
The Birmingham event kicks off on April 23 at Revolución de Cuba, followed by the Manchester session at the Hilton Deansgate’s Iris Lounge on April 24. The series concludes in Dublin at The Morrison Hotel on April 25. Each event is scheduled from 6pm to 9.30pm, allowing ample time for networking and discussion among attendees.
Akvile Marozaite, chief executive of ECN, highlighted the roadshow as an invaluable platform for professionals seeking direct engagement with suppliers to clarify any questions they have regarding expedition cruise offerings. Such engagement is crucial for empowering agents to deliver informed recommendations to their clients.
Supplier participation is comprehensive, with Albatros Expeditions and Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic attending all three cities. Other notable participants such as Aqua Expeditions will be exclusive to Dublin, while Scenic and Polar Latitudes will join in Birmingham and Manchester. This diverse presence ensures a wide range of insights available to the trade audience.
The necessity of this roadshow is underscored by ECN’s recent research, which identifies a substantial barrier in the travel trade’s understanding of expedition cruise products. Agents often find it challenging to differentiate between offerings, thus highlighting the need for enhanced direct supplier interaction.
This strategic initiative by the ECN marks a crucial step towards bridging knowledge gaps in the travel industry.
