Is the influx of tourism in the Antarctic Peninsula putting the environment at risk? Erin O'Dwyer reports.
Amid all the gloom that the global recession is casting over the tourism industry, there is one small ray of sunshine more people than ever before are travelling to the Antarctic.
Tourist numbers have increased fourfold in the past 14 years. International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) figures show that 7000 tourists headed south in 1992. During last year's summer season the association estimates about 34,000 people landed on the frozen continent.
Cruise liners typically carry more than 2000 passengers and about 95 per cent of vessels leave from South America, bound for the Antarctic Peninsula region, just a few days' journey away.
In February, an Australian Senate estimates hearing heard that total travel to Antarctica had more than doubled in nine years. In the last financial year, the Australian Antarctic Division told the hearing, there were 46,000 visitors. In 1999-2000, the number was just 20,000. That includes fly-over tourists and cruise liners, which do not berth.
But is this really good news? And what of the environment? With more people attracted to the so-called "last frontier" how are travel companies and environmental organisations ensuring the environment is preserved?