Antarctica - Extreme Tourism

Question 1

where?

Answer 1

continent covering the south pole

Question 2

how much is covered by ice?

Answer 2

99%

Question 3

how many tourist companies are involved?

Answer 3

over 100

Question 4

what is the most common nationality of tourist?

Answer 4

american

Question 5

activities?

Answer 5

watching wildlife (penguins and seals)
visiting historic sites 
skydiving
scuba-diving 
active volcano (Mt Erebus)

Question 6

impacts?

Answer 6

large crowds become stressed so they abandon eggs
cruise ships struck icebergs causing oil spills (e.g MS Explorer in 2007)
ice melt and glacier retreat
introduction of non-native species
disturbance to plant populations
disruption to scientific research in the 39 stations

Question 7

how to cope with the impacts?

Answer 7

all tour operators are part of the IAATO = directs tourism to be safe and environmentally friendly
no tourists allowed at sites of special scientific interest (SSSI) e.g Bird Island, South Georgia to conserve wildlife
no ships carrying over 500 people can land
no non-native plants or animals into Antarctica
a permit must be gained to do any activities on the continent

Question 8

why are the solutions not perfect?

Answer 8

because it take decades for these laws to be implemented and also some countries don’t agree so there is worry that some will be broken and then tourism will become unsustainable

Question 9

what are all tour operators part of?

Answer 9

IAATO

Question 10

where are no tourists allowed?

example?

Answer 10

Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Bird Island of South Georgia

Question 11

how many passengers can a ship carry?

Answer 11

500

Question 12

what must be gained to do any activities?

Answer 12

a permit