The Tierra del Fuego Tourism Institute and the Provincial Port Authority of the same district made a positive assessment of the past 2023-2024 tourist cruise season , highlighting that the Port of Ushuaia received 173,211 cruise passengers , which represents an increase of 21% compared to the previous season . Also reporting that a great 2024-2025 cruise season is expected with a projection of 550 calls , consolidating Ushuaia as the gateway to Antarctica with the arrival of new vessels that will make trips to the White Continent.
The president of the Provincial Port Directorate, Roberto Murcia , reported that "for this new stage 2024-2025 we held meetings with the private sector operators and planned how we are going to carry out all the tasks in the logistics area in the next season, which will have 550 calls, receiving the first cruise on September 26th."
In this regard, he added that "the Japanese company MOL Cruises will begin operating in February in the Port of Ushuaia, thus highlighting the increasing presence of foreign companies that choose to operate with our Province."
Also, since INFUETUR indicated that the 2023-2024 season recorded historic figures: 66 vessels, 545 calls, 602 trips, 173,211 passengers and 99,359 crew members . “It was a record season in terms of the number of trips and cruise passengers. Compared to the 2009-2010 season, 14 years ago, there is a 99% increase in the number of trips, almost doubling the figure, and a 90% growth in the number of cruise passengers transported,” explained the president of the Institute, Dante Querciali.
The official also predicted a good season and assured that “all the actors are working together to receive more cruise passengers at the End of the World. We have the largest and most active maritime gateway to Antarctica, so we continue to strengthen the arrival of tourists and the promotion of the destination.”
The port of Ushuaia plays a key role in cruise operations, allowing the simultaneous operation of three large tourist vessels (with more than 500 passengers) and two or three medium-sized vessels (ranging from 101 to 299 passengers). This does not take into account the recent expansion of the pier by 104 meters, which has been in operation since last season.
According to the 2023-2024 Cruise Report, last season in Ushuaia registered a notable increase compared to the previous period, with an 18% year-on-year increase, 602 trips were carried out in the local port.
The Port of Ushuaia welcomed 173,211 cruise passengers, representing a 21% increase compared to the previous season. In addition, 99,359 crew members were counted, marking a 10.8% year-on-year increase, reflecting the growing interest in routes that depart from or stop in this city.
In terms of the origin of visitors, cruise passengers from the United States once again led the way, accounting for 43% of total passengers. They were followed by tourists from the United Kingdom with 7%, Canada with 6.9%, Germany with 6.4%, and China with 5.5%.
Antarctic Cruises maintained their leadership, transporting 64.4% of total passengers, with a year-on-year growth of 16%. They were followed by International Cruises, which represented 29.3% of total passengers, with a year-on-year increase of 26%. The month of December 2023 was the one that concentrated the greatest number of Antarctic voyages, with 118 voyages recorded.
It should be noted that the Report is produced by INFUETUR, through the Department of Statistics and the Department of Cruise Tourism, using as a database the one prepared by the Antarctic Tourism research team of the National University of Tierra del Fuego, Antarctica and the South Atlantic Islands (UNTDF).
To access the complete Cruise Report, go to www.infuetur.gob.ar/estadistica/temporada_cruceros
