Le Boat is expanding its portfolio into North America, with plans to launch its first base of operations in the region within the next two years.
Injecting some $16 million into the expansion, Le Boat hopes to have its infrastructure, bases and 16 of the company’s newest, state of the art Horizon Cruisers in North America by 2018.
The company is aiming to expand its fleet to at least 32 cruises five years from launching, indicating confidence in the company’s first itineraries in the region, which will take self-cruising holidaymakers down UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest continuously operating canal in North America, Ontario’s historic Rideau Canal.
According to Le Boat Managing Director, Cheryl Brown, the move to North America comes after a customer survey found demand for Eastern Ontario and the Rideau Canal was high, with at least 88 percent of European respondents saying they would like to travel to Ontario for a boating holiday.
Demand was even higher in Australia, with some 91 percent of Australian customers saying they’d be keen to self-sail down the canal.
Brown continued, saying she was pleased to be able to meet customer desires and launch the new venture in a “beautiful province” such as Ontario, Canada.
“The Rideau Canal is a holiday maker’s dream, offering the best of all of Le Boat’s European destinations in one place.”
Cheryl Brown, Le Boat Managing Director
“It has the elegant beauty and charm of French waterways, the delightful lagoons of Italy, and the dramatic, scenic lakes and rivers of Ireland, Holland and German.
“Most of all, it is a mecca for lovers of nature, with every imaginable water sport such as fishing, paddle boating, canoeing, swimming, as well as hiking, biking and bird-watching.”
Bookings will begin in spring 2017, with the boating season officially launching in May 2018 and running through October every year.