March 24, 2025 | By Anita Jain Shah

Ponant Cruises, in collaboration with its India Sales & Marketing representative STIC Travels, recently concluded a four-city roadshow aimed at reintroducing its luxury expedition cruises to select travel experts. The roadshow, spanning Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata, was strategically planned to engage with travel advisors in key markets where Ponant already enjoys a growing customer base.

With intimate gatherings designed to foster deep engagement, the initiative allowed for focused discussions on Ponant’s unique offerings in the luxury cruise sector. While each city hosted 15-20 travel experts, Mumbai emerged as the largest event, attracting close to 50 key industry players.

Isha Goyal, CEO of STIC Travel Group, emphasised the importance of a personalised approach. “We wanted these sessions to be intimate, where presentations could delve into the authentic experiences onboard Ponant. Expedition cruising is an evolving segment, and deep product understanding happens best in smaller, interactive groups. As Ponant’s representation arm in India, we are committed to bridging the knowledge gap and fostering direct engagement between the brand and travel experts.”

The growing appetite for luxury expedition cruises among Indian travellers was a key talking point at the roadshow. Julie Rogers, Director of Sales – APAC at Ponant, highlighted the evolving trends in India’s outbound travel market. “India is an emerging market with an increasing number of well-traveled individuals seeking immersive experiences. We see a shift from traditional large cruise ships towards more intimate and specialised expedition voyages. Partnering with STIC Travels aligns with our long-term vision, given their national network and industry reputation.”

Ponant, which operates 14 state-of-the-art expedition ships, offers a curated selection of voyages suited to the Indian traveller’s aspirations. “We have seen strong interest in our 10-night Antarctica itineraries and 8-night Arctic expeditions via Svalbard,” added Rogers. “However, we are keen to introduce Indian travellers to other unique destinations such as Seychelles and Japan, which align with their growing interest in bespoke and culturally immersive experiences.”

As India’s luxury travel market continues to expand, Ponant’s strategic engagement through this roadshow underscores its commitment to positioning expedition cruising as an aspirational yet accessible segment for discerning Indian travellers. With personalised experiences, sustainable travel practices, and an expanding portfolio of destinations, Ponant is poised to capture the imagination of the evolving Indian luxury traveller.