kabarsula Havila Voyages steps up Australian trade engagement with Beyond Travel bandar SLOT INDONESIA

Havila Voyages made its first visit to Australia since launching in 2021, joining Beyond Travel and Finnair for a trade event as the Norwegian coastal cruise line looks to strengthen its presence in the market. 

Held at Mjølner in Sydney last night, the exclusive trade event brought together close to 100 key Beyond Travel advisors for an evening of product updates and Nordic-themed festivities. 

Matthew Valentine, global head of sales at Havila Voyages, told Travel Weekly that Australia was a key market for the family-owned operator, accounting for around 12 to 15 per cent of its business alongside key markets including Germany, the US, UK and Switzerland. 

“It’s definitely one of our focus countries. This is the first time we’ve had boots on the ground here from a sales point of view,” Valentine said. 

Havila Voyages 

While Havila may be a relatively new name in the Australian market, Valentine said the product offered several points of difference for advisors to communicate to clients considering a Norwegian coastal voyage. 

“We have the newest ships operating along the coastline, and the most sustainable ships,” he said. 

Operating four identical ships along Norway’s historic coastal route between Bergen and Kirkenes, Havila accommodates around 300–330 passengers on a full sailing, with a focus on spacious cabins, contemporary design and sustainability. 

Valentine said the vessels had been “built very much with modern tastes in mind”, with larger cabins than those traditionally available on the route. 

Sustainability is central to Havila’s offering, with the plug-in hybrid ships using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and transitioning towards biogas, with a target of achieving zero-carbon operations by 2028. The vessels also operate on battery power alone through UNESCO World Heritage fjords, offering a near-silent sailing experience. 

“When you’re going along, you can hear the waterfalls crashing down the side of the cliffs,” Valentine said. 

The company has also exceeded the emissions reduction requirements attached to its Norwegian government contract, according to Valentine, with reductions of 37 per cent against a target of 25 per cent. 

He said sustainability extended beyond environmental performance to sustaining employment and local communities along Norway’s coastline. “It’s a many-faceted thing,” he said. 

Food is another key differentiator, with all meals served à la carte rather than through buffets or set menus, helping to improve table service while reducing waste.

“Our focus is also very much on the culinary aspect,” Valentine said, noting that the approach minimised food being prepared but ultimately left uneaten. 

Increased connectivity and support for advisors 

Finnair regional manager for Australia and New Zealand, Sue Watts, outlined the airline’s upcoming Melbourne–Bangkok–Helsinki service, marking its first scheduled flights departing directly from Australia.

“Very excitingly, next week we’re going to be launching our first flights direct out of Australia ever,” Watts said.

The service will stop in Bangkok for refuelling and cleaning before continuing to Helsinki, offering Australian travellers another connection into Scandinavia.

Groups By Beyond general manager Alana Hunt highlighted the company’s ability to support advisors with group travel across a range of destinations, from small private experiences to larger departures. 

“Travel is really craving connection, and the best way to connect people is to have them travel as a group,” Hunt said.

She emphasised that Groups By Beyond handles everything for advisors from start to finish, including marketing. “For those who work in smaller agencies who don’t have a marketing team, we can be an extension of your business.”

With new flight connections, small-ship cruising and tailored group experiences on the table, the evening equipped advisors with product knowledge and support to grow their Scandinavian offerings.