One sunny afternoon in Hanusse Bay (off the west coast of Graham Land, Antarctica), the expedition cruise ship Seabourn Pursuit slowly approached its anchorage, its bow slowly touching a thick layer of ice.
250 passengers rushed out onto the balcony, leaning against the ship's walls to see what was happening. The crew did not rush to throw out lifeboats like the Titanic disaster, instead they announced that the passengers were getting off the ship, starting the first activity in Antarctica - walking on the ice and raising glasses of champagne to welcome visitors to the southernmost point of the Earth.
Attractive tourist coordinatesAntarctica has seen a significant increase in visitor numbers since before Covid-19.
According to CNN , The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) began tracking the number of tourists visiting the white continent in the early 1990s. At that time, there were about 7,000 people visiting the destination each year.
The numbers have exploded over the past half decade.
In winter 2017, fewer than 44,000 tourists explored Antarctica. This year, the number of visitors has surpassed 122,000.
The coldest continent on Earth attracts visitors thanks to its easy access and luxurious feel.
A few decades ago, anyone who wanted to reach the South Pole had to sail on small ships, many of them former “icebreakers” from Russia, Canada and other polar nations. Reaching the South Pole was a luxury.
Many of the ships back then had bunk beds and shared bathrooms, and few had windows to look outside, said Robin West, vice president and general manager of expeditions at Seabourn, who made his first trip to the region in 2002. The experience on an expedition ship today is much different.
Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, said that Lindblad and National Geographic cruise lines opened up the opportunity to explore Antarctica to tourists more than a decade ago.
“That team was a pioneer in bringing the Antarctic experience to a diverse audience,” says McDaniel.
In recent years, many cruise lines have spent billions of dollars investing in luxury expedition ships, according to CNN .
Take Seabourn Pursuit and Venture. Both have nine restaurants, eight lounges and bars for 250 passengers on board. All 132 cabins have large windows and balconies that allow guests to easily see the majestic icebergs from outside the ship.
Passengers can also choose to explore Antarctica in a submarine or kayak for an additional fee. The harsh weather is also mitigated by special equipment, ensuring warmth and dryness while walking with penguins and seals.
Environmental concernsAmid the surge in tourism to Antarctica, some experts warn of the environmental impact, particularly as visitor numbers surge there.
A study published in the journal Nature in 2022 found that Antarctica's snow is melting faster due to the number of tourists visiting the continent.
Accordingly, soot from the cruise ship's chimneys is released into the atmosphere, then sticks to the ice surface. The fineness of the soot absorbs sunlight. That is why the snow melts early.
Some ecologists say the growing human presence in Antarctica is also leading to unusually high CO2 levels in a region that is not used to it.
For their part, cruise ship operators say they are acutely aware of the negative impact on the natural environment.
As proof, passengers using the service will receive a regulation prohibiting the carrying of food or contaminants when traveling to Antarctica. In addition, some behaviors such as lying on the snow, approaching animals (to prevent bacteria and viruses from humans to wild animals) are also prohibited.
Countries that want to exploit tourism or conduct research in Antarctica must sign an Antarctic Treaty, according to CNN . The treaty stipulates that no organization or individual can build permanent structures in the area to serve tourists. In other words, no accommodation facilities are allowed in Antarctica. IAATO has started tracking the fuel consumption of cruise ships in the South Pole. Some operators are now trying to use electric propulsion to reduce black smoke and CO2 emissions.
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