Cold comfort: Tourism in Antarctica is on rise
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, or IAATO, reported that 51,707 travellers visited the Antarctic Peninsula in the 2017-18 Antarctic season, an increase of 17 per cent.
The growth reflects an upward trend since the 2011-12 season. The vast majority of visitors — 41,996 — travelled by sea to Antarctica on vessels offering excursions ashore, a 16 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Of these, 3408 flew to the South Shetland Islands and immediately boarded a vessel for onward travel.
This sector, known as air/ cruise, increased 6 per cent compared to the previous season. In addition, 9131 visitors experienced Antarctica on one of four cruise-only vessels that do not make landings, an increase of 22 per cent since 2016-17.
And 580 visitors flew to field camps in Antarctica’s interior with IAATO land operators. All visitor activities follow strict codes of conduct developed by IAATO and through the Antarctic Treaty System.
‘‘Antarctica receives relatively few visitors compared to other destinations,’’ said Terry Shaller, vice president-development at Ponant Cultural Cruises & Expeditions and chair of the IAATO Executive Committee.
‘‘The number of tourists who set foot on the continent this past year (42,576) is less than half the number of spectators at the Super Bowl. We are, however, mindful that the unique qualities of Antarctica require stringent safeguards. Our proven success in responsible visitor management is the result of forward planning based on deep understanding of the industry. This helps us fine-tune our strategies to protect the precious places we visit while enabling people to have an enriching wilderness experience.’’ Overall American visitors remained the most numerous, accounting for 33 per cent of the total number, the same proportion as the previous year. Chinese visitors were the second most numerous, accounting for 16 per cent of all visitors and increasing by 4 per centage points compared to 2016-17. Australian, German and British visitors were the next most enthusiastic visitor nationalities, accounting for 11 per cent, 7 per cent and 7 per cent respectively.
IAATO has been monitoring, analysing and reporting trends since 1991 as part of its commitment to ‘‘leave only footprints’’ through the effective selfmanagement of its activities.
- TNS