A new chapter is underway for PONANT as it becomes PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP, following its recent acquisition of a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions.

This strategic move is in line with the company’s international growth plan, which aims to build a portfolio of leading exploration voyage brands.

By embracing this new identity, PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP reinforces its ambition to accelerate its development while strengthening its position in a dynamic and evolving market, according to CEO Hervé Gastinel.

“We remain true to our core identity: delivering an unparalleled travel experience to iconic destinations, providing exclusive access to confidential locations with our human-scale ships, and maintaining a commitment to excellence in service,” he said.

Meanwhile, CEO Asia Pacific Deb Corbett said the Asia Pacific team is proud to be part of this expansion phase.

“We all look forward to implementing our diverse and dynamic go-to-market action plans to support the vision and growth of this portfolio,” she said.

The Group now includes three commercial brands: the group’s historic brand, PONANT EXPLORATIONS; Paul Gauguin Cruises; and Aqua Expeditions.

Each commercial brand will retain its own visual identity, while the overarching group will have its own brand identity represented by the signature three-sail logo.

Although the new group name has been used in corporate communications for several months, it is being rolled out now in line with recent developments, according to a PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP spokesperson.

“The deployment of our new brands has been carried out gradually,” they said. “With the recent acquisition of a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions and the creation of the PONANT EXPLORATIONS GROUP logo, we have reached a key milestone, making it the perfect moment to communicate more broadly about our new brand architecture.”