Fred Holidays has named Danielle Bates as the new head of UK sales for Lindblad Expeditions.
- Bates brings over 15 years of cruise industry experience, enhancing Fred Holidays’ leadership.
- Her previous role included head of trade sales at Star Clippers under Fred Olsen Travel.
- Danielle Bates will report to key figures in Fred Holidays and Lindblad Expeditions.
- The appointment aims to boost market share and brand exposure for National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions in the UK.
Fred Holidays has strategically appointed Danielle Bates as the head of UK sales for Lindblad Expeditions. This move is set to enhance the company’s leadership with Bates’s extensive background in the cruise industry, spanning over fifteen years. Her experience is anticipated to be instrumental in driving the co-branded efforts of Fred Holidays and Lindblad Expeditions in the competitive UK market.
Previously, Bates held a significant role at Fred Olsen Travel as the head of trade sales for Star Clippers. This role saw her leading various initiatives crucial to the brand’s success. Her time at Fred Olsen Travel, coupled with her year-long experience at Peter Deilmann River & Ocean Cruises, provides her with a unique perspective on the nuanced requirements of the cruise sector.
Bates will directly report to Tricia Birmingham, Fred Holidays’ Director of Tour Operations, and Christine Stevens, Vice-President of National, Strategic, and International Accounts for Lindblad Expeditions. This organisational alignment is expected to ensure cohesiveness in achieving the company’s goals for increased brand exposure and market share.
The upcoming initiatives under Bates’s leadership include a focused push to integrate and amplify the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions brand within the UK market. This involves showcasing a wide range of exhilarating expedition cruises that uniquely feature National Geographic experts on board, offering a distinctive edge in the expedition cruise sector.
Danielle Bates herself commented on the opportunity with enthusiasm, noting her excitement to foster pivotal relationships within the trade that will underpin the shared success of Fred Holidays and Lindblad Expeditions. Her strategic insight and passion for niche cruising are projected to significantly contribute to the brand’s expansion and visibility.
Danielle Bates’s appointment is poised to significantly bolster Fred Holidays’ presence in the UK expedition cruise market.
