Lindblad Expeditions

Lars-Eric Lindblad founded Lindblad Travel in Connecticut in 1958.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-larseric-lindblad-corrected-1414281.html?r=50956|title=Obituary: Lars-Eric Lindblad|last=Sitwell|first=Nigel|date=1994-07-15|website=The Independent|access-date=2022-06-20}} Lindblad Travel led the first tourist expedition to Antarctica in 1966{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-01-22/what-the-first-ever-antarctic-cruise-looked-like|title=What the First-Ever Antarctic Cruise Looked Like|last=Carey|first=Meredith|date=2016-01-23|website=Conde Nast Traveler|publisher=Conde Nast Publications|access-date=2022-06-20}} and was among the first companies to bring tourists to the Galápagos Islands starting in 1967.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/island-hopping-tourism-in-the-galapagos-islands/|title=Island Hopping: Tourism in the Galápagos|author=|date=2018-07-29|website=CBS News|access-date=2022-06-20}} Later, after launching the first private, purpose-built expedition ship, the Lindblad Explorer (1969),{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/features/the-rise-and-rise-and-rise-of-polar-cruising|title=The Rise and Rise and Rise of Polar Cruising|last=Wright|first=Christopher|date=2018-05-31|website=The Maritime Executive |access-date=2022-06-20}} it pioneered tourist expeditions to the Arctic, Tierra del Fuego, the Falkland Islands, the Seychelles, Easter Island, Indonesia, the Amazon River, and many others.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-larseric-lindblad-corrected-1414281.html?r=50956|title=Obituary: Lars-Eric Lindblad|last=Sitwell|first=Nigel|date=1994-07-15|website=The Independent|access-date=2022-06-20}} In 1984 Lindblad Travel led the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage from Newfoundland to the Bering Strait.{{cite web|url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/features/the-rise-and-rise-and-rise-of-polar-cruising|title=The Rise and Rise and Rise of Polar Cruising|last=Wright|first=Christopher|date=2018-05-31|website=The Maritime Executive |access-date=2022-06-20}}

Regarded as the father of ecotourism,{{cite web|url=https://www.travelpulse.com/articles/cruise/a-purposeful-pioneer.html|title=A Purposeful Pioneer|last=Kmet|first=Mimi|website=Travel Pulse|access-date=2022-08-17}} Lars-Eric Lindblad believed strongly that travel to difficult-to-reach places encouraged a desire to preserve and protect the planet. In addition to leading expeditions in remote wilderness areas, Lindblad Travel also led trips to hard-to-visit countries such as China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The company ceased operations in 1989.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/13/obituaries/lars-eric-lindblad-67-pioneer-of-tours-to-exotic-destinations.html|title=Lars-Eric Lindblad, 67, Pioneer Of Tours to Exotic Destinations|last=Piorko|first=Janet|date=1994-07-13|website=The New York Times|access-date=2022-06-20}}

Lars-Eric Lindblad passed along his passions for adventure, exploration, and conservation to his son, Sven-Olof Lindblad, who joined him on expeditions from an early age. In 1979 Sven-Olof Lindblad founded Special Expeditions as a subsidiary of Lindblad Travel.{{cite web|url=https://www.lux-mag.com/sven-olof-lindblad-eco-tourism/|title=Sven-Olof Lindblad on Investing in Eco-Tourism|author=|website=Lux|date=24 January 2022 |access-date=2022-06-20}} Special Expeditions decoupled from Lindblad Travel in 1982{{cite web|url=https://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2016-04-01/the-traveler-who-carried-his-typewriter-around-the-world|title=The Traveler Who Carried his Typewriter Around the World|author=|date=2016-04-01|website=Conde Nast Traveler|publisher=Conde Nast Publications|access-date=2022-06-20}} and was renamed Lindblad Expeditions in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.travelpulse.com/news/tour-operators/lindblad-appointed-cultural-ambassador-of-the-seychelles.html|title=Lindblad Appointed Cultural Ambassador of the Seychelles|last=Cogswell|first=David|date=2015-04-26|website=Travel Pulse|access-date=2022-06-20}}

File:National Geographic Society Flag.svg, used ceremonially on Lindblad Expeditions ships since 2004]]

Since 2004, Lindblad Expeditions has partnered with National Geographic{{cite web|url=https://skift.com/2018/08/24/national-geographics-travel-arm-expands-ahead-of-disney-takeover/|title=National Geographic's Travel Arm Extends Ahead of Disney Takeover|last=Sampson|first=Hannah|date=2018-08-24|website=Skift|access-date=2022-06-20}} and is now cobranded in the Americas and Oceania as Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic. This alliance pairs Lindblad expedition leaders, naturalists, and historians with National Geographic scientists, oceanographers, writers, photo instructors, and filmmakers. Itineraries operated by Lindblad are also sold by National Geographic Expeditions,{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/trip-types/ocean/|title=Expedition Cruises|author=|website=National Geographic|access-date=2022-06-20}} and Lindblad-owned vessels in the fleet feature “National Geographic” in their names. In November 2023, the parties announced the extension of the Lindblad-National Geographic partnership through 2040.{{cite web |url=https://investors.expeditions.com/press-releases/news-details/2023/LINDBLAD-EXPEDITIONS-AND-NATIONAL-GEOGRAPHIC-EXTEND-AND-EXPAND-STRATEGIC-RELATIONSHIP-THROUGH-2040/default.aspx |title=LINDBLAD EXPEDITIONS AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXTEND AND EXPAND STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIP THROUGH 2040 |author= |date=2023-11-15 |website=Lindblad Expeditions |access-date=2024-02-19}}

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic went public in July 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/national-geographics-exotic-travel-operator-goes-public/2015/07/10/b7eb4042-266d-11e5-b77f-eb13a215f593_story.html|title=Lindblad Expeditions, an exotic-travel company, goes public|last=Gregg|first=Aaron|date=2015-07-10|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=2022-06-20}} It trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol LIND.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasdaq.com/market-activity/stocks/lind/analyst-research|title=Lindblad Expeditions|author=|website=Nasdaq|access-date=2022-06-20}}

In 2016, Lindblad purchased a controlling interest in Natural Habitat, Inc., an ecotourism company based in Boulder, Colorado, that specializes in land-based tours.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Lindblad-acquires-majority-stake-in-adventure-tour-operator |title=Lindblad acquires majority stake in adventure tour operator |last=Steighorst |first=Tom |date=2016-05-05 |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=2022-06-20}} In 2021, Lindblad further expanded its brand portfolio to include Bozeman, Montana-based travel company Off the Beaten Path; DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co, a Boston-based company specializing in cycling tours;{{cite web |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Lindblad-Expeditions-buys-two-tour-operators |title=Lindblad Expeditions buys two tour operators |last=Clausing |first=Jeri |date=2021-03-09 |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=2022-06-20}} and Classic Journeys, which specializes in luxury walking tours.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Tour-Operators/Lindblad-acquires-Classic-Journeys |title=Lindblad Expeditions acquires Classic Journeys |last=Jainchill |first=Johanna |date=2021-10-19 |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=2022-06-20}}

Sven Lindblad retired as CEO in 2021.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelresearchonline.com/blog/index.php/2021/04/sven-lindblad-steps-down-or-up/#:~:text=Lindblad%20Expeditions%20made%20an%20announcement,announcement%20may%20have%20been%20disorienting. |title="Sven Lindblad Steps Down, or Up" |last=Cogswell |first=David |date=2021-04-15 |website=Travel Research Online |access-date=2022-06-20}} Dolf Berle was appointed CEO in 2021 {{cite web |url=https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/people-opinions/lindblad-appoints-dolf-berle-ceo-sven-lindblad-moves-co-chair |title=Lindblad appoints Dolf Berle CEO, Sven Lindblad moves to co-chair |last=Kalosh |first=Anne |date=2021-04-30 |website=Seatrade Cruise News |access-date=2022-06-20}} and stepped down in 2023, at which point Sven Lindblad resumed the role.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelmarketreport.com/Cruise/articles/Sven-Lindblad-Back-as-CEO-at-Lindblad-Expeditions |title=Sven Lindblad Back as CEO at Lindblad Expeditions |last=Saltzman |first=Dori |date=2023-07-21 |website=Travel Market Report |access-date=2023-10-10}} In December 2024, it was announced that Sven Lindblad would once again be stepping down as CEO and would become Co-Chair of the Company's Board of Directors; in his place, Natalya Leahy was appointed CEO, effective January 1, 2025.{{Cite web |title=Natalya Leahy named CEO of National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Natalya-Leahy-CEO-National-Geographic-Lindblad-Expeditions |access-date=2025-02-27 |website=www.travelweekly.com |language=en}}

In 1998, Sven Lindblad developed the Galápagos Conservation Fund, which supported local conservation and scientific efforts through contributions from passengers aboard Lindblad ships in the Galápagos.{{cite web |url=https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/essays/case-travel-carbon-footprint/ |title=Travel Is Worth the Carbon Footprint |last=Randall |first=Cassidy |date=2020-01-11 |website=Outside |publisher=Mariah Media |access-date=2022-06-20}} In 2005, Lindblad began a program called OPUS (Operation to Prevent Unwanted Species) which implemented new practices designed to prevent the introduction of invasive species via food imported to the ships.{{cite web |url=https://torontosun.com/2017/01/20/going-greener-in-the-galapagos |title=Going greener in the Galápagos |last=Catchpole |first=Karen |date=2017-01-20 |website=The Toronto Sun |access-date=2022-06-24}}

The Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund for conservation and research raises more than $2 million annually,{{cite web |url=https://www.expeditions.com/globalassets/pdf/lex_ngfund_impactsummary_2020-2021.pdf |title=Traveler Impact Summary |author= |website=Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic |access-date=2022-06-21}} primarily through guest donations, to support projects such as scholarships for students in the Galápagos{{cite web |url=https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4110435.html |title=Les Roches creates a Sustainable Development specialization within its Bachelor program |author= |date=2022-05-11 |website=HospitalityNet |access-date=2022-06-21}} and the purchase of tags for scientists studying killer whales in the waters surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula.{{cite web |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/04/killer-whales/522465/ |title=What Antarctic Killer Whales Can Teach Humans About Climate Change |last=Gable |first=Mona |date=2017-04-10 |website=The Atlantic |access-date=2022-06-21}} Over the years, guests have contributed more than $15 million to support Lindblad’s global stewardship efforts.{{cite web |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/travel/2019/07/09/leave-world-better-place/6MdRhMEKwEm62qcUqWUOQK/story.html |title=Leave the world a better place |last1=Bair |first1=Diane |last2=Wright |first2=Pamela |date=2019-07-09 |website=The Boston Globe |access-date=2022-06-21}}

In 2019, Lindblad Expeditions announced plans to become entirely carbon neutral by the end of the year.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Strategic-Content/Regenerative-Tourism |title=Regenerative Tourism: Beyond Sustainable Tourism |author= |date=2020-11-09 |website=Travel Weekly |access-date=2022-06-21}} That same year, in conjunction with National Geographic’s “Planet or Plastic” campaign, the company banned all single-use plastics aboard its ships.{{cite web |url=https://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/lindblad-eliminates-single-use-plastic-fleetwide.html |title=Lindblad Eliminates Single-Use Plastic Fleetwide |last=Figueroa |first=Ana |date=2018-07-25 |website=Travel Pulse |access-date=2022-06-21}}

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic currently operates a fleet of ten owned vessels and five charter vessels.{{cite web |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23413-lindblad-expeditions-diversity-and-surprises.html |title=Lindblad Expeditions: Diversity and Surprises |author= |date=2020-08-31 |website=Cruise Industry News |access-date=2022-06-21}} Ships owned by Lindblad Expeditions bear names beginning with “National Geographic.” Its most recent new builds include the National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution, which launched in 2021 and operate primarily in the Arctic and Antarctica.{{cite web |url=https://travel.usnews.com/features/top-cruises-on-small-ships |title=12 Top Cruises on Small Ships |last=Pratesi |first=Gwen |date=2022-06-09 |website=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=2022-06-21 |quote=}}

In 2021, Lindblad Expeditions purchased the Crystal Esprit and refurbished it, rechristening it National Geographic Islander II. The ship began operations in the Galápagos in August 2022.{{cite web |url=https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/27425-new-ship-in-galapagos-a-meaningful-upgrade-for-lindblad-expeditions.html |title=New Ship In Galapagos a Meaningful Upgrade for Lindblad Expeditions |author= |date=2022-05-09 |website=Cruise Industry News |access-date=2022-06-21}}

In June 2024 it was announced that Lindblad bought the Celebrity Xploration and the ''Celebrity Xpedition.{{cite web | url=https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/06/lindblad-buys-two-celebrity-ships-for-galapagos-operations/ | title=Lindblad Buys Two Celebrity Ships for Galapagos Cruise Expansion - Cruise Industry News | Cruise News }}{{cite web | url=https://world.expeditions.com/about/press-room/lindblad-expeditions-holdings-inc-expands-operations-in-core-galapagos-market-with-addition-of-two-new-vessels | title=Lindblad Expeditions Holdings, Inc. Expands Operations in Core Galápagos Market with Addition of Two New Vessels }}

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Category:Tourism in Antarctica

Category:Expedition cruising