The fragile ecosystem in the southern hemisphere is vulnerable to the rapidly increasing number of tourists.
According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the southernmost land in the world recorded a record number of visitors in 2022-2023 with 105,331 people. Earlier this summer, about 32,730 people arrived by cruise ship and 71,258 tourists left. Experts predict that the number of visitors will continue to increase in the coming time.
Ianenkov, an engineer and souvenir shop owner at the Bellingshausen Antarctic Research Station, said his small shop at the southernmost tip of the globe has been packed with tourists lately. The shop sells souvenirs such as fridge magnets, $5 keychains, and $100 fur-lined hats. Ianenkov said he and his colleagues depend heavily on wealthy tourists to Antarctica, who spend an average of $12,700 per trip.
A tourist boat arrives at King George Island. Photo: Sean Smith/The Guardian.
Some come for scientific research, while others are tourists who come to ice climb, ski, and take helicopter rides. Antarctica is considered a destination for those with plenty of money. Of the visitors who visited the continent early this summer, more than half came from the United States, followed by Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Travelers spend a lot of money to get to Antarctica, from planes, clothes, equipment to vaccinations. In addition, this land offers unique experiences not found in everyday life. Visitors can see surreal icebergs, observe cold-country wildlife up close, and visit Fildes Bay from the Chilean Air Force landing pad. The number of visitors to the Southern Hemisphere mainly gathers in the summer when the weather is less icy. In addition, many tourists love sailing and snorkeling in the bitter cold of the Southern Ocean.
Dr Daniela Liggett, an associate professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand who studies tourism management in Antarctica, said the impact of increased tourism on the Antarctic environment was significant. Tourism is seasonal and fragile polar ecosystems have to cope with a surge in visitors in the summer and a sudden drop in the winter.
"During peak season, Fildes Bay can easily become overcrowded with long lines of tourist boats, fuel spills, and collisions between marine life and some historic sites are even vandalized," said Liggett.
Researchers found that snow in tourist-heavy locations had higher concentrations of black carbon due to ship emissions. This led to accelerated ice melting. It is estimated that the increase in tourism had a significant impact, melting about 75 tons of snow in Antarctica between 2016 and 2020.
Chilean biologist Dr Luis Miguel Pardo said many tourists know that Antarctica brings economic benefits from its smokeless industry. However, he also expressed concern about the possibility of introducing alien species when this land with no inhabitants is constantly visited.
Several alien species have already appeared on the peninsula, and climate change and warmer temperatures will lead to negative consequences in the future.
Elephant seals live in Antarctica. Photo: Sean Smith/The Guardian.
Tourism in Antarctica began in the 1950s. In 1991, the IAATO organization was established to promote safe and environmentally responsible tourism in the South Pole.
IAATO sets strict guidelines regarding the protection of wildlife habitats, waste disposal to avoid damaging vegetation or introducing invasive species to Antarctica.
In 1959, the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) was established, which has binding legal value to regulate international relations between countries regarding the only continent on Earth with no indigenous people living there.
The challenge for the ATS in Antarctica is that it has not yet agreed to limit the scale of the rapidly growing tourism industry. Most activities are still permitted and there is no annual limit on the number of tourists who can visit.
Bich Phuong
According to The Guardian
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