Aquila Center Advocates for Sustainable Shore Excursions to Shape New Future of Cruise Tourism
New Brunswick, Canada (February 28, 2026) – As the cruise tourism industry continues to grow globally, the Aquila Center for Cruise Excellence is calling for a more intentional approach to shore excursions. The goal is to create a balanced, sustainable model that promotes economic growth while prioritizing environmental responsibility and generating real, lasting benefits for local communities.
Shifting Focus to Sustainable Shore Experiences
In a recent webinar hosted for members of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Aquila explored how cruise destinations can move beyond their passive involvement in cruise tourism. Instead, they should take an active role in designing and offering sustainable shore excursions that provide measurable impact. The discussion acknowledged the progress that cruise lines have made in terms of improving their environmental performance and responsible growth. However, it also highlighted that onshore excursions are the next frontier in achieving sustainability goals.
“Cruise intent is at an all-time high, and ships are becoming increasingly advanced in their environmental performance. Now, the focus is shifting to the onshore experience,” said Ambra Attus, Aquila’s Director of Impact, Growth, and Development. “The destination experience forms the foundation of the guest journey. If we want cruise tourism to have a lasting positive impact, sustainability must be embedded in every aspect of the onshore offerings.”
The Growing Demand for Sustainable Travel
Cruise tourism has shown strong resilience and is experiencing increasing interest from first-time cruisers. However, the industry also faces mounting pressure regarding environmental protection, cultural preservation, and equitable economic distribution. According to Aquila, the key question is not whether the cruise tourism industry will continue to grow, but how that growth will be managed in a sustainable way.
Aquila, working in alignment with GSTC standards, has developed practical tools to help destinations, tour operators, and attractions implement sustainability principles in their operations. These tools are designed to guide informed decision-making, improve partner selection, and evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of shore excursions. Aquila stresses that sustainability should not be treated simply as a compliance requirement but as an opportunity to create engaging, economically viable experiences that benefit both guests and local communities.
Meeting the Demand for Immersive, High-End Shore Experiences
Today’s cruise guests are increasingly looking for unique, high-end, and immersive onshore experiences. This shift in guest expectations presents a valuable opportunity for destinations and tour operators to elevate their offerings, increase per-visitor spend, and drive greater economic impact in local communities.
Aquila’s sustainability framework emphasizes the importance of community participation. Shore experiences that are developed with local input and ownership tend to result in stronger economic retention, more authentic cultural experiences, and improved environmental stewardship. During the GSTC webinar, Aquila shared examples of how traditional excursions, such as reef snorkeling tours, can be reimagined to eliminate harmful practices, increase conservation efforts, and provide more benefits to local communities while still offering an exceptional experience for cruise guests.
Sustainability in Action: Overcoming Challenges
While sustainability is widely understood, implementing it on a large scale can be challenging. “Action remains the biggest hurdle,” Attus noted. “Moving forward requires clarity, confidence, and alignment between all stakeholders. Excellence in sustainable destination experiences is achievable when destinations are empowered to take the lead.”
As cruise lines set ambitious environmental targets, such as net-zero emissions, the onshore experience is becoming an integral part of the broader sustainability efforts within the industry. Aquila believes that the future of sustainable shore excursions will be built on purposeful design, measurable outcomes, and deeper collaboration between cruise lines and destinations.
The Path Forward: A Call for Action
“It all starts with a choice,” said Attus. “A choice to act better, to design better, to create better experiences. And this choice begins with each of us.”
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