Polar Travel Leader Quark Expeditions® Earns 3 World Travel Awards™ Nominations
MEDIA RELEASE
Contact: Mariela Castro
Phone: 416.644.0666
Nominations Include World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator
[Seattle, WA] – 17 October, 2016 – Quark Expeditions, the leading provider of top quality expedition experiences in the Polar Regions, is pleased to share its nominations for three prestigious honors in the 23rd annual World Travel Awards™. The adventure travel company is in the running for the World's Leading Polar Expedition Operator, World's Leading Small Ships Cruise Line, and World's Leading Specialist Cruise Line awards.
Founded by two adventurers after a pioneering 1991 North Pole expedition, Quark has since guided thousands of travelers to the most remote and pristine corners of the planet. Long recognized as a trailblazer in the polar expeditions arena, Quark was first to circumnavigate Antarctica with passengers in 1997 and the Arctic Ocean in 1999; first to confirm the most northerly emperor penguin rookery near Snow Hill in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica; and first to launch CarbonNeutral® voyages to Antarctica.
The company has also been recognized for its commitment to expedition excellence, as well as safety and sustainability. Recent accolades have included the World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line: World Travel Awards™ in 2014 and 2015, and Best Small Cruise Line: Travel Weekly’s Gold Magellan Award in 2015. In 2016, recent distinctions have included World’s Best Cruises for Arctic Icebreaker Expedition Ultimate Northwest Passage: Fodor’s Travel Guides Award, and Best Small-Ship Ocean Cruise Lines: Travel + Leisure Annual Awards.
“We’re thrilled to have been nominated in three categories for this year’s World Travel Awards,” said Rachel Hilton, VP Customer Experience at Quark Expeditions. She continued, “We strive now, as we always have, to deliver the most memorable polar expedition experiences for our passengers, from reaching the North Pole and celebrating with a hot air balloon ride, to our time-saving fly/cruise options that give travelers the maximum polar expedition experience in the minimum amount of time. Being recognized by this esteemed industry organization is a great honor.”
Quark specializes in authentic, immersive polar expeditions and offers trips of a lifetime on small ice-class ships and authentic icebreakers. Each ship is equipped with Zodiac landing craft and offers cabin features and onboard amenities that ensure comfort even during adventurous expeditions in remote locations. Land-based adventures, such as floating scientific research station Barneo Ice Camp, are also on offer.
World Travel Awards™ voting is now open until Monday October 24th, 2016. Established in 1993, the awards recognize and reward excellence in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries worldwide. According to organizers, the competition’s winners set the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Travel agents and members of the public can cast their votes for Quark for World’s Leading Specialist Cruise Line here, World’s Leading Small Ships Cruise Line here, and World’s Leading Polar Expedition Operator here.
About Quark Expeditions®:
Specializing in expeditions to Antarctic and the Arctic, Quark Expeditions® has been the leading provider of polar adventure travel for over 25 years. With a diverse fleet of specially-equipped small expedition vessels, icebreakers, and unique land-based adventures, it offers travelers unparalleled access to the most remote places on earth. Led by passionate and seasoned expedition teams, including scientists, naturalists and researchers, the on-board program focuses on guest interaction to educate and enrich the passenger experience. The company is known for its unwavering commitment to safety and sustainability, including its partnership with The Nature Conservancy (USA). It was also the first to offer passengers — free of charge — carbon offsetting aboard Ocean Diamond and Ocean Nova voyages.
About the TUI Adventure Division:
The TUI Adventure Division offers premium, experience-based adventure holidays and expeditions worldwide for active travelers. In addition to QuarkExpeditions.com, the division includes expedition specialists IEtravel.com and Zegrahm.com; leading European adventure and activity specialists ExodusTravels.com, Headwater.com, World-Challenge.co.uk, Sawadeee.nl, TrekAmerica.co.uk and GrandAmericanAdventures.com; as well as US-based destination management company AmericanAdventures.com. From reaching the top of Kilimanjaro and canoeing on the Zambezi, to catching tiger cub sightings and breaking ice en route to the North Pole, the TUI Adventure Division offers inspirational experiences that create lifelong memories.
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