Call for limit to Antarctic visitor numbers
Environmentalists say unchecked tourism could lead to ecological disaster
Environmentalists are claiming that visitor numbers to the Antarctic need to be restricted to save the continent from ecological disaster.
A report in today’s Guardian newspaper states that some 17,000 people visited the world’s last great wilderness last year – visitor numbers are doubling every three to four years – to sample the superb scenery, wildlife, and opportunities for adventure. But members of the Antarctica Treaty System, who are meeting in Madrid this week, say they want numbers to be restricted.
One of the key concerns, according to the newspaper, is that a ship carrying tourists will one day hit an iceberg and spill its load of oil, which would be extremely difficult to clear up in the region’s icy waters. The Guardian reports that the New Zealand delegate Trevor Hughes told the conference: “One of the key areas is safety as there is no Antarctic code of shipping. The idea of vessels that are full of heavy bunker oil navigating in these waters is a worry.”
New Zealand and Australia are now reportedly pushing the other 47 countries that administrate the continent to bring in rules for tour operators, ensure that they clean up any mess they make, and for tourist numbers to be capped. Mr Hughes continued: “We believe that overall limits do need to be considered though that may be a bit more of a difficult discussion. There are economic interests involved.”
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt