The Antarctica, considered for decades the last territory immune to touristification, is experiencing exponential growth in visitor arrivals. The cruise ship MV Hondius, promoted as a journey to remote destinations from Ushuaia, reflects a trend that is consolidating: the tourist exploitation of the white continent.
According to the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), the 2023-24 season recorded more than 122,000 visitors, an increase of 1,120% compared to 30 years ago.
In 1993-94, only 8,000 passengers disembarked; in 2013-14, there were 27,700; and in 2023-24, they reached nearly 78,900.
Recent Statistics
- Visitors on non-landing cruises: 43,200 in 2023-24.
- Projection 2024-25: 36,769 non-landing and 80,434 landing visitors.
- Deep field tourism: 938 people exploring the interior or the Antarctic Peninsula.
- Nationalities: Americans (44.6%), Australians and Chinese (8% each), as well as British, Canadians, Germans, Argentinians, and Brazilians.
Most activities are concentrated on the Antarctic Peninsula, with zodiac excursions, landings, kayaking, or climbing.
Worrying Projections
A study published in Journal of Sustainable Tourism warns that if the annual growth rate of 14% recorded between 1992 and 2024 continues, the number of visitors could quadruple in the next decade, reaching 452,000 tourists in 2033-34.
Environmental Risks
Although IAATO requires strict standards (do not touch wildlife, do not feed animals, do not damage plants), the risks are real:
- Invasive species: grass introduced in the South Shetland Islands.
- Diseases: avian flu in the Subantarctic Islands, with devastating effects on seals.
- Cruise footprint: emissions and frequent landings in sensitive areas.
- Cumulative impacts: tourism interacts with ice melt, ocean currents, and climate changes, degrading habitats and reducing wildlife.
Regulatory Framework
Since 1991, the Environmental Protection Protocol of the Antarctic Treaty designates the region as a “natural reserve.” IAATO regulates the frequency, duration, and number of visitors, establishing limits on simultaneous landings. However, experts like Valeria Senigaglia argue that it is necessary to go further and create a comprehensive tourism framework that preserves the value of Antarctica for future generations.
Tourism in Antarctica reflects a paradox: the fascination with knowing one of the last virgin territories on the planet threatens its ecological fragility.
The key will be to balance human curiosity with environmental responsibility, designing regulations that allow enjoyment of the white continent without compromising its future.
