The itinerary is no longer the most important factor for clients when it comes to considering an expedition, as a new survey reveals that the expertise of the expedition team is their number one priority.
Aurora Expeditions recently polled 700 expeditioners, finding that 95.3% rated the expertise of the expedition team as the most important factor when selecting an operator. This was followed by itinerary (94.2%), small ship size (93.3%) and landing opportunities (92.9%).
Aurora Expeditions says this is a shift that reflects a broader transformation in how discerning travellers are approaching exploration. “It’s no longer just about where you go, but how you experience it,” says Justin Ewin, Aurora Expeditions’ global head of product. “The expertise of the expedition team plays a critical role in shaping that experience, from interpreting wildlife encounters to providing deeper context around the environments we visit.”
The survey also asked respond ents about the reason behind their choice to take an expedition, with 74% citing wildlife and nature encounters and 70% adventure and active exploration.
Some 33% also noted it as being on their ‘bucket list’, though Aurora dispels this notion, pointing out that around 20% of its passengers are now repeat guests.
The poll builds upon recent research from Cruise Lines International Association that shows global capacity for expedition and exploration ships is forecast to grow by 150% between 2019 and 2029 and demand is also growing showing in Australia alone the number of people embarking on expedition voyages rose 22% year-on-year. See more HERE.
