As the new year begins, many people are asking an important question: Where to travel this vacation season? While it may sound unusual, an increasing number of travelers are considering the Antarctic continent as their destination. Although their numbers are still quite small compared to the throngs of summer visitors in Spain or Japan, data clearly shows that Antarctica is rapidly becoming a popular choice for adventurous tourists.
Yet, this surge in interest poses a challenge.
Vacationing in Antarctica. The concept isn’t new. However, the continent’s rise as a vacation destination in recent years is noteworthy. Tourism in the region is generally considered to have begun in the mid-20th century. In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington, aimed at preserving the continent as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science.” By the mid-1960s, authorities had already established specific resolutions regarding tourism.
They were right to address this. According to anthropologist Sahana Ghosh, the influx of tourists to Antarctica surged in the late 1960s and early 1970s, propelled by the MS Explorer cruise ship and charter flights from Argentina. “Over the next two decades, mineral exploration and sovereignty issues overshadowed tourism concerns, which nonetheless expanded,” she explains. By the 1990s, visitor numbers had grown sufficiently to attract the attention of the international community once again. The trend has continued to rise ever since.
How many tourists? The number of tourists visiting Antarctica has been on a clear upward trend for some time now. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was founded in 1991 by tour operators and agencies that organize trips to Antarctica. Its statistics are revealing. In the early 1990s, around 7,000 people visited the continent each year. By the winter of 2017, that number had risen to nearly 44,000. According to CNN, projections indicate that this figure is expected to exceed 122,000 by 2024.
IAATO’s records show considerable growth in “cruise-only” visits to Antarctica. This means visitors don’t actually disembark and step onto the ice. The number increased from 7,000 in 2017 to 43,000 in the last season, representing an increase of more than 500%.
More than 124,000 visitors. In January 2024, the BBC reported on the rising trend of tourism in Antarctica. The outlet revealed forecasts that the number of visitors would reach 100,000 for the first time during the October 2023-March 2024 tourist season, marking a 40% increase over the previous record.
Final IAATO data confirmed that the influx was indeed significant. In the 2023-2024 season, technicians counted approximately 43,224 cruise-only visitors and 80,251 landed visits. Additionally, there were 787 deep-field visitors, who flew into the interior or boarded a ship to explore the Antarctic Peninsula and surrounding islands.
The greater the demand, the higher the supply. As the number of tourists grows, so does the tourism sector. In an interview with CNN, Robin West, the VP of ship cruise line Seabourn, reflected on his first trip to Antarctica in 2002. He recalls that the available boats offered basic accommodations with bunk beds, shared bathrooms, and a strict dining system. At the time, visitors often boarded small vessels or old icebreakers from Russia and Canada.
Suites and champagne. Since then, the travel experience to Antarctica has transformed significantly, and the current offerings are much more luxurious. Companies like Lindblad and National Geographic pioneered this change years ago, leading to a richer travel experience that now competes with other traditional cruise destinations. “Lately Ponant, Silversea, Seabourn and Scenic have made huge leaps with that top-of-the market luxury experience,” Cruise Critic’s Colleen McDaniel told CNN.
Modern Antarctic cruises now feature “onboard suites, exceptional dining and even spas.” They also offer adventure activities, and cabins with large doors and balconies, providing stunning views of icebergs and allowing guests to celebrate with champagne amid the frozen landscapes.
“The industry is expanding.” According to Elizabeth Leane, a professor of Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania in Australia, the situation in the sector is clear. “The industry is expanding and there is a big diversification of activities including kayaking, submersibles and helicopters. At some point it’s going to get too big–but we don’t know what that number is,” she told the BBC.
While spending a few days in the icy waters of Antarctica isn’t yet a common activity, it’s widely believed that reaching the South Pole has never been easier or more comfortable.
Ships with capacities of more than 400 passengers. In early 2024, the IAATO had 95 vessels registered in its directory. About 20 of them were yachts designed to accommodate budget-conscious tourists seeking to visit one of the planet’s most remote regions.
This list included vessels with the capacity to hold more than 400 visitors, and not all of them catered to millionaires. In its recent report, CNN spoke with a retired couple from Las Vegas visiting Antarctica. They used to work as police officers and are now enjoying their retirement, traveling worldwide.
An additional consequence. Antarctic tourism entails more than just a financial cost. The influx of visitors and cruises brings about another far more concerning expense: the environmental impact. In 2022, a group of researchers published an article in Nature that specifically analyzed the carbon footprint associated with human activity in the region. Their research encompassed both scientific endeavors and the movement of tourists.
“Black carbon (BC) from fossil fuels and biomass combustion darkens the snow and makes it melt sooner. The BC footprint of research activities and tourism in Antarctica has likely increased as human presence in the continent has surged in recent decades,” scientists concluded. They also discovered a higher carbon content in snow samples taken near scientific bases and tourist landing sites, which negatively influenced the health of the polar ice cap.
Beyond carbon. Ship-generated pollution isn’t the only concern for scientists regarding Antarctica. To prevent tourists from introducing bacteria and viruses into the ecosystem, authorities have established specific guidelines for those who disembark. These include not lying in the snow and not approaching wildlife. Additionally, members of the IAATO adhere to other rules also designed to protect the Antarctic environment, including sterilization protocols and guidelines for the proper disposal of waste.
These measures may seem excessive. However, several studies have confirmed the potential dangers associated with uncontrolled landings in Antarctica after thoroughly examining visitors’ clothing, equipment, and personal items.
Antarctic ecologist Professor Dana Bergstrom told the BBC that the risks are real. In fact, an invasive lawn species has taken root on one of the South Shetland Islands. Additionally, a few months ago, avian flu made its way to the Sub-Antarctic Islands, where it had a devastating impact on the seal population.
A present challenge. The tourism sector is well aware of the challenges posed by Antarctic tourism. In fact, a central topic at the 2024 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting was the urgency of encouraging responsible tourism that doesn’t disrupt travel routes or wildlife.
Operators recognize this need and are implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint, such as ecosystem protection protocols and the use of electric-powered ships. In the end, the health of one of the most fascinating regions on the planet and its growing popularity as a tourist destination depend on these efforts.
Image | Henrique Setim | Jeremy Stewardson [1, 2]
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