Swan Hellenic is experiencing significant growth across the Latin American market, according to the region’s Sales Director, Gustavo Benetti.

Coming off a strong 2025, he said that the company has achieved one of its main goals for Latin America, which was bringing more Brazilian guests to Antarctica.

“We want to build interest in the destination and this product. It is now translating into demand for 2026, which started very well,” he told Cruise Industry News.

Benetti added that Swan Hellenic is now looking into 2027 and 2028 while noting that many future sailings are already fully booked.

“We are seeing growing demand for group bookings. We realized that Brazilians are interested in travelling to these exotic destinations, but they prioritize traveling in groups,” he added.

“They tend to feel safer and more comfortable with a travel agency or a service provider in the background, providing support,” Benetti explained.

To capitalize on this growing market, Swan Hellenic is now shifting its focus to the Arctic, offering targeted promotions for expeditions to Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard.

He added that the brand is also adapting its repositioning voyages to match regional preferences, with repositioning voyages for the upcoming Antarctica season focusing on the African coast.

“Africa was a sales success for Brazilians, so we are having two itineraries there this year,” Benetti said, adding that the continent will remain a highlighted destination for the Latin American market.

The SH Vega is also returning to the Brazilian coast in late 2026 for unique expeditions itineraries that were first introduced by Swan Hellenic in 2024.

Benetti said that the operation in the country serves as a convenient “test drive” for South American guests looking to experience the luxury expedition product close to home.

The primary goal of the operation, however, is international exposure, offering foreign guests a unique product in the region.

Further diversifying its portfolio, Swan Hellenic saw strong regional demand for its Asian sailings following the return of the SH Minerva to the fleet, he continued.

“These itineraries, which sail from Vietnam to Japan and South Korea, resonated well with Latin American passengers,” Benetti said.

“Swan Hellenic goes into ports that other ships can’t reach, so we offer an insider look at the culture of these regions. Compared to Antarctica and the Arctic, fares for these cruises are also very inviting.”

Looking at the broader regional landscape, Benetti highlighted that Argentina remains a powerhouse for Antarctic sales due to its physical and cultural proximity to the destination.

Markets like Mexico and Costa Rica are also driving strong numbers for the Arctic and Africa, and the brand is intensifying its sales efforts in Panama to leverage the country’s wealth and strong airlift.

Swan Hellenic’s dedicated investment in South and Central America is designed to capture a highly motivated demographic, Benetti said.

“Historically, Brazilians and Latinos invest in travel. Our partners have past experiences within the cruise industry, and they know this profile,” he explained.

“The region is also a significant part of the overall cruise market, so we want to increase our business here, turning Swan Hellenic into a reference for cultural and experiential cruising,” Benetti continued.

“While other companies focus more heavily on European, Asian or American guests, our goal is to bring more Latinos onboard.”