Tourism in Antarctica

1. Tourism in Antarctica

2. How would you fancy ice, glaciers and penguins on the coldest, windiest and driest continent? • Antarctica has been described by many as an unforgettable, magical place, like nothing else on earth. • With stunning scenery, wonderful wildlife and a history of heroic exploration, it's easy to understand what draws tourists to Antarctica. • It is a place without development, tourist shops, restaurants or even permanent residents where you can discover pure nature up close and personal. • most tourism is concentrated at relatively few sites, leading to concerns about the potential environmental impact of visitors on the fragile ecosystem.

3. Some visitors arrive by private yacht or chartered flight but most visitors travel on a cruise ship. • Tourists go down to the Antarctic Peninsula on cruises ranging from one to three weeks, mostly departing from Ushuaia in Argentina. • The commonest route is from Ushuaia down to a small number of relatively heavily visited sites on the Peninsula like Deception Island, Port Lockroy, Cuverville Island and Petermann Island. • Most operators are now members of IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators) which aims to promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible tourism to the Antarctic.

4. Ways to Travel….

5. Hopefully this does not happen!

6. Tourists

7. Why Visit Antarctica? Wildlife Antarctica is the only permanent landing area for the Emperor Penguins. They spend their whole lives on Antarctica and its waters. Emperors are the only animal to spend the winter on the Antarctic ice

8. Why Visit Antarctica? Whales There are many species of whales found in Antarctic waters including Minke, Humpback, Blue, Sperm and Orca (killer whale). All Antarctic whales feed in the Southern Ocean in Antarctica's summer months and then migrate long distances north to breed and give birth to their young during the winter

9. Why Visit Antarctica? Landscape Deception Island is an active volcano. It creates a unique landscape of volcanic slopes, steaming beaches and ash-layered glaciers. This is one of the top visitor attractions with visitors able to land at an abandoned whaling station or at Baily Head on the south east side of the island, an astonishing place with an estimated 100,000 chinstrap penguins.

10. Why Visit Antarctica? Cliffs Massive sheer cliffs with jagged peaks drop straight into the sea. This is a top tourist destination in Antarctica and because of its beauty it has been nicknamed "Kodak Gap."

11. Why Visit Antarctica? Iceburg Calving There are many icebergs that calve (break off) off the glacier at the Harbour's head which produce beautiful shades of blue. You can see wildlife floating on the ice floes, such as penguins, seals and birds.

12. Why Visit Antarctica? Heritage and Historical Buildings

13. Would you visit Antarctica? Browse these trips to see which one you would choose and explain why. Think of the criteria you would use when choosing a trip such as what effect it might have on the environment, where you might visit, cost etc.

14. Would you visit Antarctica? • Adventure Network • Cool Antarctica • Heritage Expeditions • escortedantarcticatours.com • gap adventures • Polar Cruises • Antarctic Connection. • Guillaume & Jennifer Dargaud's website: Antarctica • Discover the World: antarctica