Extreme Tourism in Antarctica

Extreme Environment
1. Locations with particularly difficult environments where the development of tourism has only recently occurred due to a niche market demand for somewhere difficult with physical challenges
2. Mountains, Deserts, Rainforests etc.
3. Adventure Tourists are usually
  1. Physically fit, around 30, unmarried, affluent
What attracts tourists to Antarctica?
1. Visiting scientific research facilities
2. Unique Wildlife
3. Unique geographical features and environment, icebergs etc
4. Challenge of extreme climate
Tourists
1. Tourists first arrived in the 1950s
2. First cruise ship arrived in 1969
3. Today they receive around 60,000 a year
4. Majority of tourists come from the wealthier countries
  1. Over a third from the USA
Issues
1. Environmental impact of a tourist is greater than that of a researcher
2. 99% of Antarctica is ice, and few go on the ice
3. Damaging activities including kayaking, climbing, walking
4. Tourist want to visit the most wildlife rich areas
  1. Animals are disturbed e.g. penguins
  2. If they leave as a result they may abandon their eggs
5. Ships can strike uncharted rocks
6. Oil Spills cause pollution and harm wildlife
Management of Tourism
1. Antarctic Treaty
  1. Devised in 1961, signed by 47 countries
  2. Only ships carrying 500 or less can land there and only 100 allowed on shore at a time
2. Code of Conduct
  1. Specially protected areas off limits to tourists
  2. Wildlife must not be disturbed when being observed e.g. whale watching ships must be slow and distant
  3. Nothing can be left behind by tourists and there must be no smoking while on shore
  4. Tourists must stay in supervised groups, with a qualified guide
  5. Plant life must not be walked on
  6. Sewage must be treated biologically and other waste stored on board the ships

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Extreme Tourism in Antarctica

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	Created by lloyd.richards98 over 10 years ago