Extreme Tourism, Antarctica Flashcards
When was the first specially designed cruise ship constructed for Antarctica?
1969
How many tourists visit Antarctica each year?
40,000
How do tourists reach Antarctica from the northern hemisphere?
They take a flight to Argentina or New Zealand and travel by cruise ship towards Antarctica. Small boats take groups of 100 on shore at a time.
When did small scale tourism first begin in Antarctica?
The 1950’s
What are the 3 main attractions to Antarctica?
Magnificent scenery,
Wildlife including penguins and seals,
The remoteness gives a sense of adventure.
What activities are offered to tourists in Antarctica? (6)
Walking, kayaking, skiing, climbing, scuba diving and helicopter/small aircraft flights
What 6 rules have been put in place by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) to prevent damage to Antarctica?
Tourists may come ashore in groups no more than 100 at a time,
Visitors must not take away things as souvenirs,
Discharge of waste and dumping of rubbish by ships is prohibited,
Do not go within 5m of penguins and other wildlife,
Do not walk on the lichens,
Visitors are not allowed to visit Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI’s) in order to conserve precious wildlife and landscapes.
What is the maximum capacity of passengers that can land on Antarctica?
500
What must tour operators must do before they can provide any activities on Antarctica?
Get a permit from the IAATO
What are the positive impacts of tourism to Antarctica? (3)
Many tour operators contribute money to conversation projects,
Tourists often become advocates for the protection of Antarctica,
Tourism has conserved important sites such as Scott’s hut from the 1910 British Antarctic Expedition.
What are the negative impacts of tourism to Antarctica? (4)
Boats tend to visit the same penguin colonies meaning they receive several visits a day which disturbs the colonies,
The animals are not used to humans and may abandon eggs or young as a result contact with humans,
The tourists trample slow-growing fragile plants like moss and lichen and drop litter,
The size of tour ships is increasing which could lead to disasters such as oil spills.
What are the concerns for Antarctica in the future? (4)
Larger ships may be allowed making the number of tourists visiting beyond sustainable limits,
Breeding patterns of animals may be disrupted as breeding seasons and peak tourist numbers coincide,
There may be land based tourism developed in the future,
Tourists may think of Antarctica as a theme park rather than a fragile nature reserve.
