The world's oceans are increasingly under threat from overfishing, pollution and global climate change, all of which have significantly deteriorated marine environments for decades. The Antarctic Ocean is one of Earth's last relatively pristine oceans. Marine Protected Areas can help to conserve its fragile marine environment.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) is an organization of virtually all the commercial tour operators to the Antarctic. Although these operators are competitive, they all pull together to protect and preserve Antarctica as a unique conservation area.
When Captain Cook discovered South Georgia in the late 18th century he reported of innumerable fur seals on its shores and thus signalled the onset of a merciless hunt on the seals of Antarctica, which brought many species to the brink of extinction. Since 1972 animals have been protected under the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals (CCAS).
Stunning images of table icebergs, close-ups of penguins, reports on research activity – media professionals spare neither icy cold nor other adversities to bring Antarctica in focus for readers and viewers at home.
Travellers to Antarctica who do not join a cruise or yachting journey are considered 'individual'. This includes onshore tourism in particular – adventure and sport activities or a flight to the South Pole.
The sight of Antarctica’s ice masses is impressive enough when seen from aboard a ship. But the true scale of the ice cover remains hidden to cruise ship tourists. An overflight of the Antarctic continent provides an inkling of how big the world’s coldest desert really is.
Yachting expeditions to the Antarctic are an option for those with a taste for something a bit more adventurous, hands-on and in a more personal atmosphere. Journeys on commercial vessels which travel to the region every season are very popular. It is also a lifelong dream come true for owners of sailing or motor yachts to travel to Antarctica with their own boats.
There are no hotels, restaurants or tourism infrastructure in Antarctica as there are in other holiday destinations. The great majority of tourists arrives on floating hotels, which range in size from small sailboats to large cruise ships carrying several thousand passengers.
