PONANT is fielding so much interest in the Kimberley from China that it is in negotiations with a number of parties from the market for a charter in the region, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Global Business Belinda Hindmarsh has told CW.
International markets like China and New Zealand are some of the fastest growing for Ponant’s Kimberley product, .
“The two new source markets that are growing for the Kimberley are New Zealand, and the second one is China…we would never have picked that, but it has naturally happened,” Hindmarsh revealed.
“We’re looking at some charters, potentially…we are in negotiations with two different prospects about charters,” the Ponant executive added.
The boom in Kimberley interest from international markets comes from a concerted effort to push the destination outside of Australia and grow visitation to the region, rather than poach passengers from other operators.
“We really like to partner with the region…we need to bring value, and we know that bringing value isn’t just picking up the guests that they’re going to get anyway from another provider,” Hindmarsh explained.
“We can bring in that international mix that no one else can bring, because a lot of them, the French [guests] for example, are not going to come and do the Kimberley with a local operator.
“We do a lot of Chinese business and it’s customers who have been to the Poles, so they’ve done other things with us, and now they’re looking for something new.” MS
Pictured are Director of Marketing & Communications Charles Boutet; Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific Deb Corbett; Belinda Hindmarsh; and Director Marine Operations Captain David Marionneau-Chatel.
