Tourism in Antarctica: How to protect its unique wilderness?
- Y (Yousra) Makanse, MSc
- Promovendus / Ph.D. Candidate
From helicopter flights and marathons to glamping – Antarctica is not only attracting more visitors, but the types of tourism are becoming increasingly diverse and extreme. The Netherlands is therefore advocating for clear rules and agreements regarding tourism. Reporting from the annual Antarctic Treaty meeting, researcher Yousra Makanse and travel entrepreneur Marlynda Elstgeest discuss the development of tourism on the continent.
The following article contains (translated) parts of the original article written by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and published on their weblog. You can read the full version in Dutch here:Toerisme op Antarctica: hoe de unieke wildernis te beschermen? | Ministeries | Rijksoverheid.nl
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of tourists visiting Antarctica has grown significantly, reaching over 120,000 visitors per year. Most depart on cruise ships from Chile or Argentina, sleep aboard the ship, and only visit the Antarctic Peninsula. But with rising visitor numbers, more tourists are venturing off the beaten path, observes Yousra Makanse, a researcher at Wageningen University & Research. “More than 95% of all tourists visit only the Antarctic Peninsula. This region is home to many wild animals, such as whales, seals, and penguins. But we’re also seeing more tourists heading inland. In total, there are now around 700 different locations in Antarctica that tourists have visited or are visiting.”
Yousra mainly researches the increasing diversity of tourism in Antarctica—how people travel and stay, and the kinds of activities being offered. The latter is becoming more varied and extreme, she explains. “There are marathons being organized in Antarctica. People go there to skydive, snorkel, kayak, and climb mountains. There are helicopter tours, and more people are coming for one-time events, such as weddings.”
According to Yousra, the effects of tourism in Antarctica are difficult to measure, as many different factors are at play. Still, there are growing concerns about the impact of rising visitor numbers. “There are concerns about the environment and the disturbance of wildlife. Tourists can also interfere with scientific research or introduce invasive species or diseases that pose risks to local plants and animals. And there are also concerns about the safety of the tourists themselves.”
Respect for Nature
Marlynda and Yousra agree that tourism in Antarctica doesn’t need to be completely banned. “I believe there is great value in allowing people to visit Antarctica, but we also want to preserve it as it is – a unique wilderness. Responsible tourism can be a force for good,” says Marlynda. “First-hand experiences, combined with education about destinations and responsible travel, help create ambassadors for environmental protection.”
Yousra hopes people will think carefully before booking a trip. “It’s a fragile and unique region. If your only goal is to check off a new destination from your list, maybe it’s better not to go. Tourism must follow the protocol, adapt, and show respect for Antarctica’s unique nature.”
More about Yousra Makanse:
Yousra Makanse is a Ph.D. candidate at Wageningen University & Research within the Cultural Geography Research Group (GEO).
Yousra’s current research aims to explore and map tourism diversification in the Antarctic, particularly considering the magnitude of integration of less tangible concepts of the ATS fundamental principles and values in the development of new, novel, or particularly concerning activities, as part of an NWO project funded by the Netherlands Polar Programme. The ultimate objective is to provide knowledge for the CEP process towards the development of a framework for conducting pre-assessments relating to new tourism activities in the Antarctic.
More about Marlynda Elstgeest:
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