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Tourist Boom Threatens Antarctic

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Travel Articles >> Locations >> Antarctic

The number of tourists who visit the most southern continent of the world is constantly increasing, and there is no one to control this profitable sphere of business. Nowadays, giant vessels have started to come here, fact which may lead to a catastrophe and damage the environment.

“According to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty of 1991, the whole territory of the continent is reserved”, Jim Burnis, Executive Director of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, says. “It is destined for scientists. This area needs to be protected and has to remain wild”.

During 1992-1993, Antarctic was visited by approximately 6 700 tourists. In the last season the number of tourists increased to 29 500 people.

Seven countries have already claimed significant areas of the land, however, they were rejected. In some cases countries pretended to the same territories.

The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1959. It regulates all actions on the continent. Its aim is to prevent any encroachment on the Antarctic territories. Parties to the Treaty gather at annual meetings and approve additional recommendations; however, there is no unique powerful authority responsible for the continent. This makes the tourist industry in Antarctic to a great extent self-regulating. Antarctic is a unique region, so far not subordinate to sovereignty of any state. In spite of this fact, there were enough territory claims to Antarctic. This tendency is rather dangerous.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators was organized by seven companies who declared their goal to ensure safety of the continent. Nowadays, the number of companies has made up 99. They work beyond the framework of the Association, and therefore a big part of them does not follow the principle “not to harm”.

In order to sail among the ices of the continent, the vessel should be especially strong and have a double hull. However, Antarctic snow and rain, strong wind and unpredictable sea make the voyage dangerous for the strongest ships even in the summer season, from October to April. However most tourist companies think that additional protection is unnecessary, since they launch voyages only in summer and in the open water where there is not so much ice.

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Article Submitted On: November 28, 2007