Antarctica is drawing increasing numbers of travelers as remote journeys become easier to book and affluent visitors pursue rarer experiences. Although operators have expanded their fleets to accommodate demand, some veteran guides contend that the workforce's expertise has not kept pace.
Figures from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators illustrate the scale of the expansion: approximately 8,000 tourists visited in the early 1990s, compared with about 122,000 during 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 that the current growth rate continues.
Lindblad Expeditions' fleet illustrates how operators have increased capacity. In 2019, it had two polar ships, with another two under construction; both additional vessels have since entered service.
Viking, meanwhile, currently has two expedition ships suitable for polar regions and has two more on order, according to its filings. The fleet expansion contrasts with veteran guides' concern that the experienced workforce has not grown in step with the industry.
