Lindblad bookings boom

LINDBLAD Expeditions says it is experiencing strong conditions, with 2017 bookings up more than 30% year-on-year.

The company reported its results for the three months to 30 Sep yesterday, with revenues up 20% to US$84.6m & quarterly net income jumping 25% to $9.3m.

CEO Sven-Olof Lindblad said the company’s “strategic investment to expand our capacity to capitalise on the rapidly growing demand for expedition travel has begun to deliver significant returns” for Lindblad.

He said the period had been marked by strong bookings for its first new-build vessel, the National Geographic Quest (pictured) launched in Jul, as well as maintaining high occupancy levels across the existing fleet.

Higher ticket prices saw yield increase, while occupancy of 91% was in line with the same period a year ago, the company said.

The result would have been even better if the company hadn’t been forced to cancel four “highly booked voyages” on the new National Geographic Quest due to a delay in its launch.

Lindblad is expecting full year revenues of up to US$270m and adjusted earnings up to US$44m.