Sunshine Coast-based Antarctica travel specialists have remarked how polar adventures have significantly changed during their years of operation.
Chimu Adventures will later this month mark two decades of experience working alongside reputable cruise operators.
Expeditions have been transformed during that timeframe.
While repurposed research ships were once the vessel of choice, now state-of-the-art ships transport tourists and open the destination to a wider range of travel styles.
Antarctic travel now caters to those who want light adventure, those who are attracted to the onboard experiences of spa treatments and dining, and those who want even more adventure than before.
But there are still options for the traditional small-ship expedition experience where immersive light adventure remains the focus.
Chimu Adventures managing director Chad Carey reflected on the evolution of Antarctic travel.
“Initially, this change resulted in an increase in travellers to the destination, but it is still minor by comparison to other parts of our planet,” he said.
“Despite the perception that the destination has exploded, approximately 120,000 travellers pales in comparison to the approximately 80 million tourists per year to France, as an example.
“Antarctica remains remote and sought by more adventurous travellers, despite the widening demographic visiting.”
Chimu’s head of reservations Kieron Tebbutt also offered his thoughts on polar travel trends.
“Today, we almost see the principal attraction of Antarctica turning full circle, which is the destination itself,” he said.
“This was the main attraction for decades, the ship being merely the transport to see it.
“In recent years, there has been a focus on the variety of amazing ships now on offer which, I feel, confused the market for a while, distracting the client from the spectacular destination.
“However, operators are seeing more and more that their main objective must be to showcase and protect the destination.
“The experience-rich cruise is currently the most sought after.”
Tourism in Antarctica is unlike anywhere else, with most operators working strictly under safety and responsible travel guidelines, and minimising impact on the destination to ensure travellers leave Antarctica with only memories.
Mr Carey said most tourists were conscious of this.
“What we have also noticed and applaud is that the way travellers are introduced to Antarctica is more mindful than ever,” he said.
“Restrictions on where and for how long travellers can land, how close they can be to wildlife, their involvement in citizen science, their education on the fragility of the planet and the giveback opportunities have evolved to a platinum standard that should be adopted across the globe.”
With a deeper understanding of the destination and more sophisticated small ships in the markets, the itineraries have also changed. Where once there were four standard itineraries run by most operators, there is now a multitude.
They range from the typical peninsula and Falklands-South Georgia cruise to a deep dive into the east coast, where the great explorers once frequented.
There are also itineraries leaving from the Antipodes, travelling the coast of Antarctica and ending in either Cape Town or Ushuaia.
The sub-Antarctic islands, south of New Zealand and Australia, are growing in popularity, with experienced polar travellers and local travellers yearning for a sub-polar experience closer to home.
“The variety of itineraries not only allows travellers to visit different parts of the coastline of Antarctica and the surrounds, it also allows the selection of cruise companies in the area to operate in isolation on their respective itineraries, which offers less impact on the locations they visit and a richer customer experience,” Mr Carey said.
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