Sharon


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A Jennifer ndrea


Jennifer MattMatt


& Ashley Helen Ashley Helen


Clare


Clare


FRONTLINE


CLARE DUDLEY managing director, Ponders Travel, Cambridge


Is the phrase ‘You can’t teach an old


dog new tricks’ true? If we are to believe AI, it’s a myth: dogs of all ages are capable of learning, even if older ones take longer. As my team’s most seasoned


member, I have to agree with AI on this one. I love discovering something new and exciting. So, when expedition cruising started building momentum over the past decade, I was ready for this thrilling new chapter in travel. However, just when I thought I fully understood what an expedition holiday was, I realised I didn’t. That moment of revelation didn’t


come from a glossy brochure or a training session. It happened while I was escorting a trip to Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands with the fantastic National Geographic- Lindblad Expeditions. I found myself surrounded by a world so alive, so curious and so utterly unbothered by human presence that it felt like stepping into a wildlife documentary.


DEEP CONNECTION For many clients, ‘expedition’ still conjures up images of gruelling adventure. But as travel professionals experience these journeys, we’re learning the truth about a segment taking the world by storm: expedition travel isn’t about endurance, it’s about immersion. It’s about learning and reconnecting with the natural world in a way that traditional holidays rarely achieve.


26 4 JUNE 2026 AGENT


The trip I escorted to the Galápagos showed me expedition travel offers life-changing experiences


Nowhere demonstrates this


better than the Galápagos. The first surprise is the marine life. It isn’t simply abundant, it’s interactive. Sea lions, iguanas and Sally Lightfoot crabs welcome you within minutes of arriving portside. They are happy to share their space – and sometimes even a park bench – with you. One moment you’re snorkelling quietly along a rocky shelf and the next you’re joined by a sea lion pup convinced you’re its new playmate. Giant sea turtles glide past,


and rays sweep beneath you so gently you could almost miss them. These moving encounters are a daily occurrence. Your clients will


return home not just with photos, but with a renewed sense of responsibility for our oceans.


EDUCATION AT SEA Yet, wildlife is only half the story. The other half is the learning. Expedition ships in the Galápagos are essentially floating classrooms staffed by experts whose depth of knowledge is mind-blowing. One morning you may be hiking


across a lava field with a geologist who explains how the islands were formed. Later, you’re on a Zodiac with a National Park naturalist guide who can identify bird calls before you’ve even spotted the species. For travel professionals, this is


an opportunity: expedition travel isn’t niche anymore, it’s necessary. Clients are seeking more from their holiday adventures. They’re looking for the enrichment and connection these cruises offer. They want to feel something, learn something and return home changed – and they are willing to invest in experiences that deliver this transformation. For those of us in the industry,


it’s a category we should be championing far more boldly. When you pair life-changing experiences for the client with higher-value bookings for your business, it truly is a win-win for everyone.


TWO STARS WHO SHONE FOR US


I would like to say a very big thank you to MSC Cruises, in particular Alyshia Bartlett and Danielle Weller, who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to sort out an incredibly difficult situation for us. Sometimes during our careers, we encounter complex challenges where only specific people have the expertise and dedication to help. On this occasion, our problems could truly only be


resolved with their invaluable support and brilliant problem- solving skills. Their patience,


professionalism and willingness to go above and beyond have made a massive difference to our business during a stressful time. Thank you both so much – your hard work is deeply appreciated by everyone here at Team Ponders. You are absolute stars!


Danielle


Alyshia travelweekly.co.uk


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