Russian tourists are increasingly interested in cruises to Antarctica

Antarctica is rapidly gaining popularity among cruise tourists all over the world. The share of Russians is also growing, although in Russia this destination still remains exotic of the highest order.

The main tourists in Antarctica are US citizens - according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), they account for an average of 45% of all passengers on cruise ships.

After the United States are tourists from Australia (7.8%), followed by residents of China (7.6%) and Great Britain (7%). The share of Russians is even smaller, but, nevertheless, tour operators note that this destination is becoming increasingly popular among wealthy Russian citizens. 

Thus, the tour operator Polar Travel Club organized 11 Antarctic cruises in the 2024-2025 season. The expeditions took different routes, from classic polar cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula with a stop at the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, to a trip to the Far South, which takes place only once per season.

Representatives of the ITM group company also note the growing interest from Russians. In 2024, it signed an agreement with the famous British cruise company Swan Hellenic, and its first tourists have already been on an Antarctic cruise this season.

«It is difficult for us to give any global assessment yet, since we have been working with tours to Antarctica for a little over a year, but we can already note good demand from our tourists, » - says Irina Yurina, head of product development at ITM group.

Tourists from both companies are already actively booking New Year's tours to Antarctica and are showing interest in cruises for the 2026-2027 season, which have gone on sale with a discount of up to 15%.

Photo: https://polartravelclub.ru