Antarctica21 Opens Advisor Contest for 2027 Antarctica Air-Cruise
Applicants will be judged on sales potential and a post-trip marketing and sales plan, with entries open through July 21 and the winner to be chosen July 31, 2026.
Antarctica21 has opened the Antarctic Travel Designers Contest, a merit-based familiarization program for travel advisors based in the United States and Canada who want to begin selling the company’s Antarctica product. One advisor will receive a complimentary single cabin on the Feb. 25-March 4, 2027 Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise aboard Magellan Explorer.
The company will not select the winner by random drawing. An internal panel will evaluate applicants on sales potential and the strength of their proposed post-FAM marketing and sales plan.
“We created the Antarctic Travel Designers Contest because we want to continue investing in advisors in the US and Canada who are genuinely ready to sell Antarctica,” said Crystal Manafi, sales manager B2B at Antarctica21. Manafi said the winner should “come back with a plan and the conviction to offer it to their clients.”
Selection criteria focus on post-trip sales plans
Applicants will be asked to provide basic information about their client base, their expedition travel background and a concrete plan for selling and marketing Antarctica21 after the familiarization trip. The contest is open to advisors who are not yet working with the operator and are seeking to start a relationship with the company.
The company described the Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise as its most popular itinerary in Manafi’s statement.
The prize is tied to Antarctica21’s air-cruise model
The Classic Antarctica Air-Cruise is an eight-day program that begins and ends in Punta Arenas, Chile, and uses a charter flight of about two hours to reach King George Island in the South Shetlands. The cruise portion operates along the South Shetland Islands and the western Antarctic Peninsula, with Zodiac landings, wildlife viewing and onboard lectures listed as part of the itinerary.
Antarctica21, founded in Punta Arenas, launched its first Antarctic fly-cruise in 2003. The format is built around flying over the Drake Passage before embarking the expedition vessel in Antarctica.
Magellan Explorer joined the fleet in 2019 and was custom-built for Antarctica21’s air-cruise operations. The ship carries 76 guests on air-cruise departures, below IAATO’s 100-person ashore limit for Antarctic landings.
Applications remain open through July 21. Antarctica21 plans to select the winner on July 31, 2026.
