EXPEDITION cruise operator Hurtigruten is rapidly expanding its trade partnerships in Australia in the lead-up to the opening of its new Melbourne office next month (CW 03 May), this week announcing an enhanced relationship with online tour operator Inspiring Vacations. The pact comes alongside other key Hurtigruten trade partnerships with...
EXPEDITION cruise operator Hurtigruten is rapidly expanding its trade partnerships in Australia in the lead-up to the opening of its new Melbourne office next month (CW 03 May), this week announcing an enhanced relationship with online tour operator Inspiring Vacations.
The pact comes alongside other key Hurtigruten trade partnerships with players including 50 Degrees North, Bentours and Chimu Adventures, with the cruise line’s APAC MD, Damian Perry, telling CW “the path forward for Hurtigruten in Australia and New Zealand is through dedicated and focused strategic partnerships offering the ultimate solutions, service and security for travellers”.
Perry said he had agreed with Inspiring Vacations MD Paul Ryan to work on the joint development of “specific fully inclusive end-to-end product solutions for the market that are easy to sell and customer focused”.
The rollout of new packages under the deal will begin next month, with Ryan and Perry both confirming they will be available for trade sales.
“Inspiring Vacations brings a clearly defined and well executed strategy to the market, and I support their plan of penetrating a new market and audience that is either ignored or untapped at this stage,” Perry said.
The new strategic partnership will give Inspiring Vacations access to the full range of Hurtigruten product, including the new Destination Norway range (CW 02 Aug) as well as Canada & Alaska, the Arctic and Antarctica.
Ryan hailed the pact, saying “Inspiring Vacations’ ability to further enhance the product with an end to end package solution, dedicated staff championing the partnership and employees that have travelled to multiple destinations with Hurtigruten, on multiple ships, will deliver the highest level of customer service and professionalism”.
Pictured: Ice encountered by Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen en route to Greenland last week.
