Labour mobility and professional trajectories of Antarctic expedition staff: Evidence from the Ushuaia gateway
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33112/arctour.4.2.6Keywords:
Antarctic maritime tourism, Expedition staff, Cruise vessels, Gateway portsAbstract
Antarctic tourism has expanded rapidly over the past decade, intensifying the demand for highly trained expedition staff who play a critical role in interpreting the destination, ensuring safety, and shaping visitor experiences. Despite their centrality, limited empirical research has examined who these professionals are, how they access employment, and to what extent gateway cities provide opportunities for local labour integration. This study analyses the characteristics, recruitment pathways, and professional dynamics of expedition staff working on Antarctic cruise vessels operating from Ushuaia, the principal maritime gateway to Antarctica. Drawing on administrative records from Prefectura Naval Argentina (2013–2024) and survey data collected during the 2023–2024 season, a mixed-methods approach reveals a predominantly international and highly credentialed workforce, structured by professional capital rather than nationality. Logistic regression results show that accumulated certifications and Antarctic experience predict both career consolidation and income differentiation. Findings also highlight the importance of informal, network-based recruitment and demonstrate the emergence of transhemispheric polar careers that span both the Arctic and Antarctic. The study contributes new insights into the labour dynamics of Antarctic expedition cruising and offers implications for workforce development, training policy, and the strengthening of local labour pathways within gateway cities.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Giselle Elizabeth Medina, Mariana Morgavi
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