Lindblad Expeditions Holdings CEO Dolf Berle is to leave the company on 30th June.
Upon his departure, Lindblad Expeditions’ Founder and Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Sven-Olof Lindblad, will return as CEO working closely with Berle (pictured) to ensure a smooth transition.
Lindblad served as CEO since founding Lindblad Expeditions in 1979 to 2021, when he became Co-Chair of the Company’s Board, a role which he will continue.
“Lindblad Expeditions was built out of a life-long passion for exploring the world and with the intent of travel becoming a force for good,” said Lindblad.
“Since founding the company more than 40 years ago, the travel industry has changed, with the expedition travel sector experiencing unprecedented and dramatic growth. But one thing has remained the same: Lindblad Expeditions’ commitment to providing life-changing, eye-opening authentic expedition travel experiences to our passionate and curious guests.
“I am thankful for the progress Dolf has ushered in and excited to be returning as Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to building upon our momentum and for what’s next in Lindblad Expeditions’ rich, decades-long pioneering heritage,” he said.
Since joining Lindblad Expeditions in 2021, Berle oversaw the successful return to service of the company’s expeditions cruises and adventure travel experience operations across the globe.
The company also welcomed three new ships to the fleet: the fully stabilised Ice Class vessel, ‘National Geographic Resolution’; the 48-guest ‘National Geographic Islander II’, which sails year-round in the Galápagos; and the three-mast modern sailing yacht ‘Sea Cloud II’, which the company will charter from the beginning of May 2024.
During this time, the company also acquired Classic Journeys, a luxury cultural walking tour company that operates a portfolio of curated tours centered around cinematic walks led by expert local guides, further expanding its land-based expedition offerings.
“For nearly five decades, Lindblad Expeditions has been the recognised leader and pioneer of authentic expedition travel,” said Berle, “and it was an honour to have been a part of that iconic legacy and the positive impact the company has had on countless guests and communities.
“I am thankful to Sven, the Board of Directors, and, most importantly, our team members around the world who welcomed me into this family and trusted me to serve this company in its new era of growth. Over the last two years, together we have strategically expanded our capacity, diversified our product portfolio, and transformed our marketing and sales strategies, matching unprecedented demand for expedition travel and positioning the company to significantly ramp earnings and build long-term shareholder value in the years ahead,” he said.
Mark Ein, Co-Chair of the Board, added: “Over the last two years, Lindblad Expeditions has emerged from unprecedented times, and I want to thank Dolf for his leadership. Now, with demand for expedition travel reaching unprecedented heights, we are set to further increase the number of annual guests that we serve and continue to broaden and deepen our offering of high-quality authentic experiences.
“As Sven returns as CEO, I am excited to work closely with him and the leadership team on a set of strategic growth initiatives to expand our earnings and value creation potential even further,” he said.
