THE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICATHE IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ANTARCTICA

This presentation is based on the work by Dr Shaun Russell, Director, Wales Environment Research Hub, Bangor, UK.

What are Antarctica’s What are Antarctica’s tourist attractions?tourist attractions?

SIGHTS: Dramatic icebergs and glaciers; wildlife such as whales, seals, penguins; the midnight sun; the southern lights

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Wildlife watching; cruising / flying

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES: Visiting scientific research stations; visiting Scott’s hut

OVERALL ANTARCTIC ENVIRONMENT: Clear air; dramatic; space; challenging; long hours of daylight in summer; snow capped mountains; not anything like it is at home! Last wilderness

Clip: Tourism up in AntarcticaClip: Tourism up in Antarctica

Considered a remote location for so long, Antarctica is Considered a remote location for so long, Antarctica is becoming more accessible to outsiders and as a result, becoming more accessible to outsiders and as a result, tourists are arriving in record numbers. But in the tourists are arriving in record numbers. But in the continent's pristine environment even the smallest changes continent's pristine environment even the smallest changes are magnified despite the best efforts of tour operators to are magnified despite the best efforts of tour operators to prevent this. As Janice McDonald reports for VOA News in prevent this. As Janice McDonald reports for VOA News in this third and final report on Antarctica, the human impact this third and final report on Antarctica, the human impact is making its mark. is making its mark.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ih949hVs78&v=7ih949hVs78&

IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will IAATO estimates that more than 40,000 tourists will visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season.visit Antarctica in the 2007-8 season.

(IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)(IAATO - International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators)

Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% last year compared to the 6% (by 14% last year compared to the 6%

annual growth in global tourism)annual growth in global tourism)

Antarctic Antarctic tourism:tourism:

Cruise ships Cruise ships (landing and non-landing)(landing and non-landing) Fly-cruise and over-flightsFly-cruise and over-flights Small commercial and private vesselsSmall commercial and private vessels Adventure tourism Adventure tourism (climbing, skiing (climbing, skiing

kayaking, diving etc)kayaking, diving etc)

Cruise ships Cruise ships (landing and non-landing)(landing and non-landing) Fly-cruise and over-flightsFly-cruise and over-flights Small commercial and private vesselsSmall commercial and private vessels Adventure tourism Adventure tourism (climbing, skiing (climbing, skiing

kayaking, diving etc)kayaking, diving etc)

Patriot Hills Camp (picture courtesy IAATO)

Some individual sites in Antarctica are Some individual sites in Antarctica are receiving large numbers of tourists …receiving large numbers of tourists …

e.g. e.g. 16,000 visitors to 16,000 visitors to the historic site of the historic site of Port Lockroy in the Port Lockroy in the Antarctic Peninsula Antarctic Peninsula last year.last year.

Human Impacts in AntarcticaHuman Impacts in Antarctica Ozone layer thinningOzone layer thinning Greenhouse warmingGreenhouse warming Ice-meltIce-melt Ocean circulation changesOcean circulation changes Disruptions to biological/ecological cyclesDisruptions to biological/ecological cycles

Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica

Introductions of non-native species Introductions of non-native species

Disturbance to animal and plant populationsDisturbance to animal and plant populations

Transmission of diseasesTransmission of diseases

Removal of “souvenirs”Removal of “souvenirs”

Disruption of Disruption of research activitiesresearch activities

Aesthetic impactsAesthetic impacts

Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica

PollutionPollution

Maritime Maritime accidents accidents

Bahia Paraiso fuel spill 1989

Photos courtesy Dr John Shears, British Antarctic Survey

MS Nordkapp grounding 2007

Potential Human ImpactsPotential Human Impacts in Antarctica in Antarctica

Carbon FootprintCarbon FootprintThe growing popularity of Antarctic tourism + The growing popularity of Antarctic tourism + less sea-ice is likely to stimulate more voyages to less sea-ice is likely to stimulate more voyages to Antarctica by more ships. This would contribute Antarctica by more ships. This would contribute to an increase in the “Carbon footprint” of to an increase in the “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourism.Antarctic tourism.

Antarctic Antarctic tourists may tourists may already have a already have a higher carbon higher carbon footprint than footprint than most other most other touriststourists

#1: Long-haul #1: Long-haul flights to flights to reach ports of reach ports of departure in departure in the southern the southern hemisphere.hemisphere.

Antarctic tourists may already have a higher Antarctic tourists may already have a higher carbon footprint than most other touristscarbon footprint than most other tourists

#2: Long-#2: Long-distance distance cruise legs. (It cruise legs. (It can take up can take up to 10 days at to 10 days at sea to get sea to get there from there from Hobart)Hobart)

Antarctic tourists may already have a Antarctic tourists may already have a higher carbon footprint than higher carbon footprint than most other tourists most other tourists

#3: Extensive use of #3: Extensive use of small power boats for small power boats for landing operationslanding operations

Antarctic tourists may Antarctic tourists may already have a already have a higher carbon higher carbon footprint than footprint than

most other touristsmost other tourists

#4: Maintenance of #4: Maintenance of high-energy high-energy “luxury” on-board “luxury” on-board environments to environments to ensure client ensure client comfort in polar comfort in polar conditions.conditions.

Antarctic tourists generally:Antarctic tourists generally: Value wilderness environmentsValue wilderness environments Appreciate wildlifeAppreciate wildlife Are environmentally concernedAre environmentally concerned Seek to gain further knowledge and understanding of the environmentSeek to gain further knowledge and understanding of the environment Pass on this knowledge to othersPass on this knowledge to others Are good “advocates” for Antarctic conservationAre good “advocates” for Antarctic conservation

So, shouldn’t the Antarctic tourism industry So, shouldn’t the Antarctic tourism industry be leading the way and doing more to be leading the way and doing more to develop “green” operating standards? develop “green” operating standards?

Challenge:Challenge:

Not all Antarctic tourism enterprises are members Not all Antarctic tourism enterprises are members of IAATO or stick to the protocols and codes of of IAATO or stick to the protocols and codes of conduct observed by the majority of responsible conduct observed by the majority of responsible operators.operators.

Summary:Summary:

Antarctica is often cited as the last Antarctica is often cited as the last “pristine” and “untouched” wilderness on Earth“pristine” and “untouched” wilderness on Earth

Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly Tourism to Antarctica is increasing rapidly (by 14% (by 14% last year compared to 6% annual growth in global tourism)last year compared to 6% annual growth in global tourism)

There is an increased potential for maritime There is an increased potential for maritime accidents and damage to habitatsaccidents and damage to habitats

The “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourists may be The “Carbon footprint” of Antarctic tourists may be higher than that for other tourists higher than that for other tourists (research needed)(research needed)

The industry could be doing more to improve its The industry could be doing more to improve its “green credentials”.“green credentials”.

Assessment task 2Assessment task 2 AIM: To demonstrate knowledge and AIM: To demonstrate knowledge and

understanding of the idea of ecotourism.understanding of the idea of ecotourism. TASK: An in-class writing task which will be TASK: An in-class writing task which will be

completed over two periods (1 x 75, 1 x 50)completed over two periods (1 x 75, 1 x 50) You are to construct a response (hand written) of You are to construct a response (hand written) of

approximately 500-1000 words, to the statement approximately 500-1000 words, to the statement below.below.

Analyse the following statement: Analyse the following statement: “The tourism “The tourism industry in Antarctica is running the risk of industry in Antarctica is running the risk of destroying its main attraction – the natural destroying its main attraction – the natural environment. Discuss”environment. Discuss”

Ensure you follow the conventions of essay Ensure you follow the conventions of essay writing, that is, an introduction, paragraphs writing, that is, an introduction, paragraphs addressing one main point, and a conclusion that addressing one main point, and a conclusion that effectively closes your essay.effectively closes your essay.