Polar Travel Market Report 2025

The polar travel market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.06 billion in 2024 to $1.14 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising exploration interest, increasing accessibility, growing adventure tourism, expanding scientific research, and shifting focus towards sustainable ecotourism.

The polar travel market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.53 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising climate change awareness, increasing luxury expedition demand, expanding polar infrastructure, growing scientific collaborations, and advancing sustainable tourism initiatives. Major trends in the forecast period include advanced eco-friendly cruise technology, developed polar research facilities, adopted sustainable tourism practices, expanded luxury expedition offerings, and enhanced wildlife conservation efforts.

The forecast of 7.7% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.3% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs affecting imported cold-weather gear, safety equipment, and ship components may raise the operational costs of expedition operators in polar regions. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing interest in adventure tourism is expected to drive the expansion of the polar travel market. Adventure tourism involves traveling to challenging environments for the purpose of exploration or physical activities, offering excitement and thrill. This type of tourism is fueled by the demand for unique experiences, the influence of social media, and an increasing focus on health and sustainability. Polar travel contributes to adventure tourism by providing rare and attractive opportunities for thrill-seekers to explore remote and untouched landscapes, while also promoting environmental awareness and scientific exploration. For example, in October 2024, Passport-Photo Online, a Poland-based online platform offering passport photo services, reported that 200 million people, including 70 million from North America, participated in adventure tourism in 2022, highlighting the growing popularity of this sector. As a result, the rising interest in adventure tourism is helping to drive growth in the polar travel market.

Companies in the polar travel market are focusing on eco-friendly tourism, including the use of environmentally friendly microships, to reduce their ecological footprint while providing sustainable and immersive travel experiences in polar regions. These small, energy-efficient vessels are equipped with sustainable technologies such as low-emission engines and eco-conscious materials to minimize their environmental impact, while still offering personalized travel experiences. For example, in January 2023, Secret Atlas, a UK-based travel company, launched the MV Vikingfjord micro polar expedition cruise, offering exclusive small-group Arctic journeys. These trips take place aboard a 12-passenger vessel, ensuring a more personalized and immersive experience. Designed with minimal environmental impact in mind, these cruises promote sustainable tourism in delicate polar regions. Expert guides lead travelers in exploring remote Arctic landscapes, observing wildlife, and enjoying nature-focused adventures. The MV Vikingfjord includes nine en suite cabins, a spacious saloon with rear-facing windows, and on-deck amenities such as a hot tub and sauna.

In October 2024, Polar Latitudes, a US-based polar expedition company, formed a partnership with Nordic Hamburg and Chimu Adventures to enhance its polar expedition offerings and expand operational capabilities. This collaboration aims to strengthen its cruise operations by integrating Nordic Hamburg’s shipping expertise with Chimu Adventures’ specialization in polar exploration and responsible travel. Nordic Hamburg is a Germany-based shipping company, and Chimu Adventures is an Australia-based travel company.

Major players in the polar travel market are TUI Group, Abercrombie & Kent Ltd, Hurtigruten Group, Lindblad Expeditions Holdings Inc., Tauck Inc., Quark Expeditions Inc., G Adventures Inc., Butterfield & Robinson Inc., Aurora Expeditions Pty Ltd, Thomas Cook Group plc, Poseidon Expeditions Ltd, Oceanwide Expeditions B.V., Zicasso Inc., Scott Dunn Ltd, Exodus Travels Ltd, Silversea Cruises, Al Tayyar Travel Group, Antarctica21 Ltd., Cox & Kings Ltd, and The Polar Travel Company.

North America was the largest region in the polar travel market in 2024. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in polar travel report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the polar travel market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The polar travel market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as guided cruises, adventure activities, wildlife observation, research expeditions, luxury experiences, accommodations, and logistical support. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the recreation sector, especially in the supply of imported sports gear, outdoor equipment, and leisure products. Manufacturers and retailers are grappling with increased costs for goods like bicycles, camping supplies, fitness equipment, and gaming consoles - many of which rely heavily on international supply chains with few domestic alternatives. Small recreational retailers are particularly vulnerable, with some cutting back on stock or raising prices to manage shrinking profit margins. Event organizers and recreational venues are also experiencing rising costs for imported materials and equipment. In response, the industry is shifting toward suppliers in non-tariff regions, boosting local procurement efforts, and advocating for tariff exemptions on widely used recreational goods.

Polar travel involves journeys to the Arctic or Antarctic regions, typically for exploration, scientific study, adventure tourism, or wildlife observation. These travels require navigating through harsh weather conditions, icy terrains, and ecosystems inhabited by species such as polar bears and penguins.

The primary types of polar travel include Arctic, Himalayan, Antarctic, and others. Arctic polar travel is focused on expedition-based tourism in the Arctic region, offering unique activities such as wildlife viewing, ice exploration, and cultural experiences in remote, icy settings. It offers various tour packages such as luxury cruises, expedition cruises, guided tours, and independent travel, catering to different customer groups such as solo travelers, couples, and families, with participants spanning generations such as baby boomers, millennials, Generation X, and others.

The polar travel market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides polar travel market statistics, including the polar travel industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the polar travel market share, detailed polar travel market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the polar travel industry. This polar travel market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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