Antarctica fascinates many people because of it's scenery, remote location and wildlife. Organised tourism began in 1950s. Many tourists have already visited Antarctica and the numbers will increase in the future. The challenge is to find a balance where tourists can still enjoy visiting Antaractica, but not have a harmful effect on the beautiful continent.
Number of Tourists
Every Summer, around 10,000 people visit Antarctica. The reason they like to visit the continent is because of all the amazing wildlife, beautiful scenery and peaceful environment.
By Ship
The first tourists to visit Antarctica were a hundred or so passengers who
traveled on an Argentinian Vessel in the 1950's. Today, regular cruise ships
sail from Argentina and Chile to the peninsula. Liners leavefrom Argentina,
Australia and New Zealand. Tourists only travel ashore for very short periods.
This type of tourism causes little damage to the environment. The cruises take
10 days to 3 weeks. The trips take place during November to march because this
is the warmest part of the year. It costs around $50, 000 to go to Antarctica,
including accommodations.
traveled on an Argentinian Vessel in the 1950's. Today, regular cruise ships
sail from Argentina and Chile to the peninsula. Liners leavefrom Argentina,
Australia and New Zealand. Tourists only travel ashore for very short periods.
This type of tourism causes little damage to the environment. The cruises take
10 days to 3 weeks. The trips take place during November to march because this
is the warmest part of the year. It costs around $50, 000 to go to Antarctica,
including accommodations.
Sight-Seeing Flights
Tourists can choose to fly over Antarctica in jet airliners. This way they can
enjoy Antarctica's landscapes without harming the environment. Regular flights
began in 1977 with departures from Australia and New Zealand.
enjoy Antarctica's landscapes without harming the environment. Regular flights
began in 1977 with departures from Australia and New Zealand.
Impact
If tourism is managed with strict environmental controls, it should be able to operate well in the future. Many people will return home from their visit to Antarctica to promote the conservation as a continent at peace.
Recommendations
I recommend that people choose to go on the sight-seeing flight instead of
actually going onto the land because it does less damage to Antarctica. You
still get to see the beautiful continent up close but you are not impacting the
environment.
actually going onto the land because it does less damage to Antarctica. You
still get to see the beautiful continent up close but you are not impacting the
environment.