For more than 20 years, the collaboration between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic has been synonymous with small-ship modern expedition cruising. Today, the two companies are taking their industry-defining relationship to the next level with the debut of a new name and refreshed co-branded identity, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
The launch of the new co-brand represents a significant milestone in the long-term extension and expansion of the strategic relationship between Lindblad Expeditions, National Geographic, and The Walt Disney Company. The move was made possible under the new 17-year agreement between the three innovative brands announced in November 2023, which granted Lindblad Expeditions global rights to the National Geographic brand for expedition cruises until at least 2040.
“With the launch of our new National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-branded identity, we made the strategic decision to lead with the power and name recognition of National Geographic, bolstered by Lindblad Expeditions’ rich heritage as the pioneers of modern expedition cruising,” said Sven-Olof Lindblad, founder and CEO, Lindblad Expeditions. “Together with National Geographic and The Walt Disney Company, we will be demonstrating the power of this new co-brand and improved name recognition, which will be vitally important as we expand our footprint in key growth markets around the world. We strongly believe that this updated co-brand will drive consumer intent, search efficiency and conversion, bringing more discerning travelers on board our growing fleet.”
“National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions embarked on an exciting future together more than 20 years ago, and I am proud to see that relationship and shared vision continue to expand through the launch of this co-brand,” said Stephanie Young, President, Disney Vacation Club, Adventures & Expeditions and Disney Institute. “Discovering the world with National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions is one of the most educational and insightful ways to travel. The knowledgeable Naturalists and Expedition Leaders on board, state-of-the-art equipment and capability of these ships take guests on a journey unlike any other, educating travelers and inspiring them to conserve the world around them.”
“Over the past two decades, National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions have traveled the world together, united by a shared dedication to purposeful exploration,” added Jill Tiefenthaler, chief executive officer, National Geographic Society. “With the refreshed National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-branded identity, we’re embarking on the next phase of our long-standing partnership, looking ahead to many more years of deep discovery and meaningful conservation work that will continue to educate, embolden and inspire future generations of global changemakers.”
Lindblad Expeditions and Adventure World Strengthen Strategic Partnership
Lindblad Expeditions has renewed its strategic partnership with the Travel Corporation specialist company Adventure World as its exclusive representative for the Asia-Pacific region.
This continued collaboration underscores Lindblad Expeditions’ commitment to expanding the reach of the National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand in the region, building upon the successful partnership with Adventure World first established in 2016. Over the years, Lindblad Expeditions has experienced significant revenue growth, driven by its core offerings and new destination experiences, supported by investments in fleet and leading technology.
Neil Rodgers, Managing Director of Adventure World, stated, “Our partnership with Lindblad Expeditions is built on a foundation of shared values, ideals, and a deep commitment to responsible exploration. Beyond business principles, we both believe in the power of education and exploration to inspire meaningful change. This shared vision enables us to effectively position each brand independently while leveraging the strengths of our combined expertise.”
Kathi Riddle, Senior Vice President of Sales and Revenue Management at Lindblad Expeditions, added, “We have a deep confidence in Adventure World’s exceptional performance and consistent ability to exceed our aggressive international growth goals and sales targets in the Asia-Pacific region. Their track record of success and unwavering commitment continues to drive our mutual growth and success. With nearly 10 years of collaboration and a shared believe in travel as a force for good, Adventure World is more than a partner, they’re part of our family.”
The new National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-branded identity and logo will be fully implemented across all owned-marketing channels by the end of the year, starting today with the launch of the redesigned consumer website, www.expeditions.com. In early 2025, the co-brand will debut a sweeping omnichannel consumer and trade marketing campaign—the largest in Lindblad Expeditions’ history—powered in part by the reach of The Walt Disney Company. The implementation of new branding across Lindblad Expeditions’ growing fleet of 20 owned, leased and chartered vessels will begin in 2025.
With its pioneering history in modern expedition cruising, Lindblad Expeditions has expertly led curious and discerning travelers on journeys of deep discovery to the farthest reaches of the planet for more than half a century. For the past two decades, Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic have collaborated through a shared mission: To foster a spirit of discovery and community by blending science, nature and purpose-driven travel.
Together, the brands and their guests have embarked on thousands of expeditions designed for discovery to highlight the wonder of the world and their collective role in protecting it. These voyages helped to progress important conservation priorities, educational opportunities and environmental scientific research at local, regional, and global levels with initiatives like the Visiting Scientist Program. Working with the National Geographic Society, Lindblad Expeditions has hosted hundreds of educators on expeditions around the world through the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, and these educators bring what they learn back to their classrooms, inspiring the next generation of planetary stewards. Additionally, through the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, the two organizations and their guests have invested more than $22 million to support numerous conservation, education and science initiatives around the globe.
To learn more about the strategic relationship between National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions, visit http://www.expeditions.com/campaign/national-geographic-lindblad-expeditions. To get a look at the newly announced National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions co-brand in action, visit www.expeditions.com, and connect with the co-brand on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube
