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Managing Tourism and the

Environment: Conflict or Consensus?Challenges and Opportunities posed by tourism operations in

Antarctica.

On a holiday, people expect to see beaches, enjoy the sun, searching for challenge,

education and excitement, including relaxation. Antarctica being exactly the

opposite of a fantasy holiday destination, has still managed to capture the

attention of tourist. The world's extreme conditions aren't usually spots for

tourist attraction. Antarctica, with extreme physical conditions is an incredibly

amazing tourist destination. The polar region being covered with snow, uniquewildlife, huge mountains, valleys, icebergs etc. are the factors for the increase in

the number of people visiting the Antarctica. The number of tourists to

Antarctica has increased quite considerably, during the past decade, according to

International Association of Antarctica tour operators (IAATO) in 2009-2010,

around 37,000 tourists visited Antarctica compared to just 6000, a decade ago.

Antarctica is completely different to any other holiday destination in the world.

With no malls, no shopping complexes, no restaurants, no bar's. All it has to offer

is its amazing scenic beauty and its unique wildlife. However many believe that

the natural wilderness of Antarctica is under threat from mass tourism, with

wildlife colonies being overwhelmed by the growing number of visitors,

according to conservation groups. In this essay I shall discuss the various

impacts tourism has on the future of Antarctica, I shall then discuss the various

initiatives that have been placed to protect its environment and to conclude I

shall give my own personal opinion on the matter.

Antarctica has an attraction since the early 19th century with the first

expeditions arriving in xyz. Today Antarctica is still host to many scientific

expeditions. They are studying the geography, the geology the wild life. Many of

the scientific expeditions based in Antarctica want to study the change of climate,

the global heating due to carbon increase in the atmosphere, other scientific

bases want t study it due to. What they expect could be similarities wildlife onsome distant planet.

Antarctica is one of the few remaining destinations where you can observe polar

animals (such as penguins and polar bears) in their natural environment. Some

of the best wildlife viewing exists in Antarctica, with birds, seals, and whales

being the most popular creatures. As the Antarctic area has become an object of

interest to the whole of humanity, it comes as no surprise that every season

more people visit Antarctica to marvel at its assorted fauna and stunning

landscapes, to walk over its ice-covered surface, to participate in a

mountaineering journey or any other nature-based activity. Nevertheless, along

with the advantages, concerns have arisen with regards to its potential effects onthe environment, ongoing scientific research, and ultimately the stability of the

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Antarctic Treaty System, the legal and political regime that has governed

activities on the continent for more than fifty years. The Antarctic Treaty was set

up in 1959; at the time it consisted of 12 nations who pledged to maintain

Antarctica as a realm of peaceful scientific co-operation. The treaty went into

affect in 1961, and since then the region has been governed under international

law through Antarctic Treaty System. Today the Antarctic Treaty system consistsof over 46 countries, representing the large majority of the worlds population,

governs Antarctica.

It was only in 1957/58 when the first tourist ships from Argentina and Chile

came to Antarctica, with around 200 tourists. Since then tourism in Antarctica

has rocketed to a staggering 40,000+ tourists each year. This rise in tourism has

triggered a lot of international criticism on the potential negative impacts

tourism might have on the environment in Antarctica.

Simon Jenkins: Antarctica is for all of us: Argues that tourists are the best

guardians of the environment.

It is often talked about the negative impacts tourism has on Antarctica, however

little is said or even mentioned about the positive impacts tourism has. It was the

famous Simon Jenkins who once said, Antarctica is for all of us, and he arguesthat tourism is the best guardian of the environment. Raising awareness of

Antarctica means that the wider world will realise how fragile it is, and help

protect it. The destruction of Spain's coastline for mass tourism (as an example)

is a terrible warning and the countries responsible for Antarctica are heeding the

lessons!

Because the continent has never had a native population; even today scientistsand other staff members at research stations are only temporary residents,

Antarctic wildlife is still unafraid of people.

Movies such as Happy Feet, Frozen Planet and March of the Penguins have

shown to increase awareness and tourism to the continent.

People should be allowed to see the area as the world belongs to us.

Environmentally friendly tourism provides money for conservation projects.

Internationally agreed guidelines reduce the effect that tourists have

Positive Impacts of Tourism in Antarctica:

Raises awareness.

Increases revenue, which could fund research or protection

Negative Impacts:

Tourist interactions with wildlife during breeding season

Human structures in the landscape

Cultural and Historic Heritage

Intrusions on work of scientific bases

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Demand for on-site facilities

Safety and Liability (cost of rescues).

Antarcticas most pressing issue is its environment and how best to protect it.The major impacts on the Antarctic environment are caused by people who have

never visited it. Climate change and ozone depletion are prime examples of the

way human activity elsewhere affects Antarctica. Studies have found that lead

particles from gasoline combustion are blown to Antarctica as soon as one

month after they leave exhaust pipes in South America, Australia and New

Zealand, and pesticide residue has been found both in seabird and in penguin

tissues. Plastic and other rubbish washes up on Antarcticas beaches in ever-

increasing amounts.

Although tourism to Antarctica is often criticized as being harmful to the

Antarctic environment, the impact made by tourism is minimal when compared

to that made by scientific activities on the continent.

One possible solution is that of marketable visitor rights, as is already used in the

climate policy by means of trading in CO2 emission rights. First of all a maximum

annual number of tourist days in Antarctica will be set. To ensure a smooth

transition, this maximum will be set higher than the actual number of tourists

days used. As soon as the demand for holiday days in Antarctica is higher than

the maximum, the rights to the days will have a certain value.

Antarctica, a pristine place created by nature, one of the last true wilderness left

on the planet. After Antarctica was discovered, mankind has explored its most ofparts, revealed much information regarding our history; studied wildlife located

here, organized tourist activities. However the issue, which plays a major role

today, is the impact of human activities on Antarctica. Antarctica, which is

governed by many countries, denies the claim for exploitation of Antarctica for

past few decays. Reviling the present situation of Antarctica shows that it is

becoming a tourist destination place, which initializes further debate on the

issue.