Should tourism be encouraged in Antarctica?
...ildlife and ice shelves that draw people to Antarctica. Many cruise companies stop at the Falkland Islands to break the cruise into smaller trips and to see the unique wildlife that lives there. Cruise ship allows the tourist to get on the ice shelves that have drawn them to the region. The International Association Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) only allows 100 people on the ice at one time. Cheaseman’s Expeditions only have 94 people on the ship. This allows more time on the ice with the supervision of 6 of their 15 tour guides. Tourists with Cheeseman’s are able to go on the ice with Guides that give lectures on the above-mentioned topics. If people decide to travel be plane they are unable to stop on the ice. The planes allow for the tourist to look at the environment with out destroying it. Cruise ships and flights bound fro Antarctica usually leave from Cape Horn or more recently, the southern areas of Australia. With access to Antarctica becoming increasingly cheaper and popular organizations, like 555, are developing concerns as to whether Antarctica can be a sustainable tourism destination. People travel to Antarctica for many different reasons. Some to go to a place that not many have been, others are interested in Eco-tourism. While the companies who travel to Antarctica have formed IAATO to protect the destinations of the cruise ships. If new companies are formed and do not become a part of IAATO they are “permitted” to do what ever they please on the ice and to the wildlife. This may put t...