National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions reports 'most successful wave in history' 

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has reported its "most successful wave in history", booking 40% of last year’s UK revenue in January alone. 

 

As a result, the expedition operator is considering raising its UK sales targets for 2026 and has extended wave offers until early March. 

 

The co-brands have existed for more than 20 years, with the partnership now extended until 2040, but only launched to the UK market last year through appointed general sales agent Fred Holidays.

 

Speaking on a webcast with Aspire’s sister title Travel Weekly, Lindblad Expeditions chief executive Natalya Leahy said the UK was “performing fantastically” and was “a very big priority”.

 

She said: “We should be the number one expedition brand in the world by far because we are the best expedition experience out there.

 

“We are the fastest-growing expedition company, so we need to catch the UK market up to that trend and we are on the way there as the start of 2026 is very promising.”

 

She said there was “so much room for growth” in the market with four million UK households fitting the profile for a potential National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions passenger.

 

“Our travellers are very well-educated and experienced, but also affluent,” she said.

 

“Over 80% of our guests have a net worth of $1 million and above, and from the statistics I have seen, there are about four million households in the UK [that meet that threshold].

 

Leahy said she was targeting “a really significant increase in sales” from the UK for 2026, which she was already considering raising given the positive trends during wave.

 

“Our team is committed and I am committed to make this market successful,” she said. “We are seeing incredibly positive trends, and I think we need to do better.”

She added: “From the numbers I have seen, I might need to be raising the [sales] goal.”

 

Leahy revealed 2025 had been “a record year” for passengers with the brand carrying 38,000 travellers, but “the sky is the limit” as she eyed bringing in new customers from adventure travel.

 

She said the co-brands were also “actively looking to either buying ships or building ships” to expand on its current fleet of 12 owned ships and 11 chartered vessels.

 

Leahy said capacity had grown by 50% since 2019 and that chartering ships to specific destinations would continue to be part of the strategy.

 

She urged agents to make the most of the relaunched agent training programme, Expedition 360, and new onboard sales programme, promising to “continue to enhance our [trade] support”.

 

Leahy highlighted the average selling price of $12,000 and a return rate of 37%, resulting in “a great opportunity” for agents.

 

“The hardest sell is the first sell, and after that, we do the job for you,” she said.

 

Leahy said the Galapagos, Antarctica and Alaska were booking “very fast” with lengthening booking curves, while Arctic expeditions were booking “a little closer in”.

 

She added that the launch of European river cruises had been “very successful” and closer-to-home destinations such as the British Isles, Iceland, Greenland and the Mediterranean should “not be under-appreciated” for UK-based agents.