New research suggests that visitors to Antarctica could skyrocket from 125 000 in 2023-2024 to more than 450 000 by 2034.
According to the study by the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) that was published on IOL, the influx of tourists is already leading to increased pollution in the region.
Dr Valeria Senigaglia, a marine scientist and lead author of the report, explained that while the impact of tourism wasn’t enormous just yet, it was crucial to start thinking about solutions to manage this growth.
Tourists can only visit the region through operators that specialise in tours to Antarctica.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) welcomed the research, but reiterated that it was important to balance the expected influx of tourists with environmental responsibility.
QUT says there has been an increase in tourism activities offered in Antarctica, like kayaking and hiking, which come with their own set of issues, like pollution, disturbing wildlife, and harming plants.
IAATO says it operates within the framework of the Antarctic Treaty System when arranging tours to Antarctica, including the Protocol on Environmental Protection.
According to the communications manager of IAATO, Tiffany Barry, to operate in the extreme Antarctic waters, specialised vessels, equipment and personnel are needed.
She says the growth in 2022-23 resulted from vessels originally scheduled for launch between 2020 and 2022 being delayed, as well as a backlog of passengers who were unable to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to IAATO, tourism growth in Antarctica is consistent with global trends.
“With that growth comes the need to be ahead of the curve, addressing potential issues before they become a reality. That’s why IAATO members have candid discussions on safety, environmental protection, and self-management every year at the association’s annual meeting,” says Barry.
According to Senigaglia, the number of tourists visiting Antarctica must be capped. IAATO, however, said it was not a regulatory authority and did not possess the legal mandate to enforce visitor caps or other binding regulations.
While not a regulatory power, IAATO has proactively developed comprehensive guidelines and operational procedures to minimise environmental impacts and ensure safety among its membership. These include:
- Implementing site-specific visitation guidelines to manage human activity at frequently visited locations.
- Coordinating vessel itineraries through a centralised ship scheduling system to prevent overcrowding and mitigate cumulative impacts.
- Enforcing strict limits on the number of passengers ashore at any one time and maintaining appropriate staff-to-passenger ratios.
- Requiring comprehensive pre- and post-visit reporting to monitor and assess environmental impacts.
- Mandatory assessments for field guides and vessel crews to ensure understanding of best practices in environmental stewardship.
