Swan Hellenic is unlocking remote regions like West Africa and leaning into sustainable operations to meet evolving consumer demands, according to CEO Andrea Zito.

He said that developing new itineraries outside traditional polar regions is not only a cultural value but also an operational necessity that avoids the financial burden of repositioning ships empty.

“We would operate 12 months in Antarctica, but we are like the birds; we are forced to migrate from the North Pole to the South Pole,” Zito explained.

“We need to find a way of operating 365 days per year successfully,” he added, noting that newer ships like the ones operated by the company can’t reposition with no guests onboard because of operational costs.

This has led Swan Hellenic to open new destinations across West Africa, securing authorizations for remote areas with virtually no tourism infrastructure, such as Mauritania’s Banc d’Arguin National Park, which Zito described as a paradise for birdwatching.

The line is visiting most countries on the West African coast under the patronage of local tourism ministries and prime ministers, he continued. Calls include Morocco, Senegal, Mauritania, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Gabon, the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville), Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

“It is an incredible experience for our passengers from a cultural point of view because it’s very different from what you expect from Africa. It’s not the Africa of safaris; it’s the Africa of looking at how 1.5 billion people are living in conditions that are quite different from what we consider standard,” Zito explained, citing a lack of potable water, electricity and paved roads.

Operating in these environments requires extensive planning, he noted, mentioning supply chain and logistics challenges.

“We have the advantage of having mostly recent hardware, which allows us to go to places leaving only our footprint on the sand or on the snow,” Zito continued.

He added that the expedition industry has transformed dramatically over the last few decades, moving from a reliance on converted icebreakers and scientific vessels to a new generation of purpose-built ships.

“These new vessels have a huge advantage: the consumption is 40 to 50 percent less than that of an older ship because of technology,” he said.

As a naval architect and marine engineer, Zito stressed that efficiency remains the path forward for the niche, especially given the logistical hurdles of supplying alternative fuels in remote destinations.

“I don’t see big technological innovations coming soon for expedition ships,” he said, noting that engines with lower emissions have been one of the biggest steps forward for the industry.

“Also important are water treatment plants that allow us to discharge water that is of the same quality that you can practically drink. We are also recycling the garbage; we are not incinerating anymore,” Zito added.

These sustainable practices are a primary driver of consumer interest, he continued, noting that prospective guests prioritize environmental impact over onboard amenities.

“The most asked question is, ‘How sustainable are you?’ Not ‘How good is your food?’ or ‘What is the entertainment onboard?'” he said.

Pointing to an initiative in the Arctic last year where the company collected 20 tons of plastic debris from remote beaches, Zito said that actions speak louder than words.

“When the passengers see that we not only land and do a tour, but we collect what the currents are bringing on the beaches, they are impressed… Social responsibility is not just in words; it is in actions.”

Zito believes the expedition market  has navigated recent global disruptions well by delivering profound experiences.

“We are selling emotions. It is highly emotional to reach parts of the world that are unexplored, where nature is still overwhelming. Every time I go to Antarctica, I feel highly dwarfed… a very small individual,” he said.

The industry, however, has to do a better job of publicizing how good it is for the environment and the public, he added.

“I think what we are not doing quite well is communicating what a great product we are offering, and the authenticity of what we are doing, because we are still labeled as a ‘cruise,’ and that is not right.”