Tourism is the conventional business of bringing foreigners over to a new country for them to explore the land and see what it has to offer to them and what experiences they can be indulged in. When we think of tourism, we think of places like Hawaii and Singapore. But what about tourism in Antarctica? Sounds a little out-there, doesn’t it? But a trip to possibly the coldest place on earth might be a fun experience after all wouldn’t it?
The Tourism Spike
Tourism in Antarctica can provide a great deal of insight to the wider population. As of the date of writing this article, going to Antarctica is definitely no easy feat. It is a very expensive sojourn and only those on the higher end of the economic spectrum can afford to go there. Currently it costs about $5000 AUD to $15000 AUD per person to visit Antarctica. Nevertheless, going to Antarctica can be a great eye-opening experience. With barely any humans around, politics of the land does not play any part in exploring the country.
The continent showcases its very tough yet majestic wildlife. Introducing tourism can help raise awareness for the animals that live in this continent of eternal permafrost, animals ranging from Adelie Penguins, Hourglass Dolphins, Killer Whales to Leopard seals. In 2022, 150,331 people visited Antarctica as their choice of continent for tourism and this figure will only continue to rise in the coming years.
Disrupting the Natural Rhythm
But tourism in any area brings its own set of risks that should be assessed. Our first priority is to make sure that we do not disrupt the natural rhythm. Tourism has always had a very heavy impact on the environment around it. We should aim to do as little damage as possible during the times that tourists seek to visit Antarctica. Of course, our presence on the continent alone can trigger some changes in wildlife. If humans do not directly interact with wildlife we should be able to preserve the natural order in the icy region. Unfortunately, humans have not done this. We have created massive problems in the region already by harvesting species to the brink of extinction, discharging sewage into the once pristine seas and contaminating the soil.
Pollution
Another massive issue that should be of great concern is to consider what pollution may emerge from tourism in Antarctica. The main form of tourism right now in Antarctica is through airplanes and ships. While airplanes have their own disadvantage, cruising always brings the risk of oil spills. In 1989 the largest oil spill in Antarctica occurred when a ship en-route to an Argentinian base spilled 180 tonnes of diesel oil into the frigid sea. It was reported that it largely harmed the penguin rookeries, disrupted the natural insulation of many birds who became prone to the chilling temperatures, killed more than 30,000 sea birds and much more.
Tourism is a lucrative business, and no matter where you seem to go in the world there always seems to be some kind of tourism always open for you to explore. From the driest deserts to the coldest of tundra’s, humanity has learnt to make an attraction out of anything. Antarctica seems to have fallen in this loop as well.
I think that immersing people into the snow and ice is a great way to teach people what is at stake if climate change continues and what will be lost if this frozen continent were to thaw out and melt. But we must also consider the possibility of the harm we could be causing the environment through our presence.
Tourism in Antarctica is no doubt an interesting enterprise but the question is – Do we REALLY need to take it up?
Writer : Ethan
Grade : 10 (Year 2023)
Place : Sydney, Australia
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