October 14, 2026

What the Fjord? Hurtigruten’s Matt DeWitt Talks Norway



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In Episode 15 of You Came to the Right Place, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia sit down with Matt DeWitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Hurtigruten.

From chasing the Northern Lights and embracing the growing “coolcation” trend to sailing alongside locals on Norway’s historic Coastal Express, DeWitt explains what makes Hurtigruten a different kind of cruise experience.

Matt DeWitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Hurtigruten
Matt DeWitt, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas for Hurtigruten (Photo Credit: Hurtigruten)


He also clears up the confusion between Hurtigruten and HX, breaks down the differences between the Original and Signature voyages, and shares what's ahead for the Canadian market, including new itineraries and expanded advisor training.

In this episode:

  • Why Norway is attracting growing interest from Canadian travellers
  • What makes Hurtigruten different from traditional cruising
  • How Hurtigruten’s 130-year history continues to shape the Norwegian coastal experience
  • The differences between Hurtigruten’s Original and Signature voyages
  • Why coolcations, Northern Lights and astrotourism are creating new opportunities
  • How local communities, authentic experiences and Norwegian cuisine are central to the journey
  • What solo travellers should know about single supplements
  • Why Canada is an important market for Hurtigruten and what’s ahead for Canadian travel advisors
  • New itineraries, expanded advisor training and opportunities beyond the traditional coastal route

And in The Pulse Check, Matt shares the cruise industry jargon he’d happily ban, his best packing advice and the Jimmy Buffett song that sums up his philosophy on travel.

Subscribe to You Came to the Right Place wherever you get your podcasts.

Subscribe now using your favorite service:

Listen on Spotify Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Amazon Music Listen on iheart

Resources Mentioned

Hurtigruten

Hurtigruten Names Matt DeWitte VP, Sales and Marketing, Americas

On Location: Norway Is Having a Moment — Hurtigruten Is Sailing Into It


ABOUT THE HOSTS

Between them, Natasha Lair and Jen Mallia bring more than four decades of media and travel editorial experience to the mic. Ontario-based Natasha, Managing Editor of TravelPulse Canada, is warm, funny, and deeply curious, known for finding the human angle and cutting through industry spin with factual, unbiased reporting. Edmonton-based Jen, Senior Editor and travel media expert, pairs two decades of travel editorial experience with charm, quick wit, and sharp industry insight. From Central Canada to the West, they’ve got their ears to the ground, delivering real talk, smart analysis, and just enough sarcasm to keep it interesting.

ABOUT THE SHOW

You Came to the Right Place is a Canadian travel industry podcast from TravelPulse Canada. Expect smart conversation, insider context, and the kind of straight talk that doesn’t always make it into a press release. Each episode blends candid conversations between two editors, interviews with industry leaders, advisors, destination execs, and the people behind the stories we publish. If you work in travel, you came to the right place.

 

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