Antarctic tourism is expanding as remote journeys become easier to book and affluent travellers pursue rarer experiences. Although operators have increased their fleets to accommodate demand, some veteran guides say the workforce has not kept pace, raising concerns about the depth of expertise available.
According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), visitor numbers rose from roughly 8,000 in the early 1990s to about 122,000 in the 2023–24 season. One forecast projects more than 450,000 visitors by the 2033–34 season, a near-fourfold increase over a decade, provided the current rate of growth continues.
Fleet expansion is evident at Lindblad Expeditions, which had two polar ships in 2019 while another two were under construction. Both additional vessels have since entered service.
Viking, meanwhile, currently has two expedition ships suitable for polar regions and another two on order, according to its filings. Many of the ships involved in the expansion were ordered before the Covid-19 pandemic.
