Antarctica
AntarcticaChile considers IAATO meeting a great success; many operators looking to work from Magallanes
The Chilean government efforts to develop Puerto Williams in the extreme south of the country as an austral tourism centre and gateway to Antarctica received an ‘excellent’ feedback from the recent IAATO annual meeting held in Punta Arenas.
Antarctica received an estimated 35.000 visitors this 2012/13 season, says IAATO
An estimated 35.000 visitors enjoyed the pristine landscape of Antarctica during this last 2012/13 season, which represents a 32% increase over the previous period, according to IAATO, (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) and is responsible for 90% or these tours.
Antarctica and Punta Arenas historic links underlined in Chilean tourist guide
A complete Antarctica tourist guide, in English and Spanish was launched by the Chilean Antarctic Institute to promote the polar identity and heritage of over fifty sites in the Punta Arenas area, extreme south of Chile and the Magellan strait.
Argentina makes available a Coast Guard vessel for the Antarctic Blue Whale Project”
Argentina will make available a Coast Guard vessel in support of the ‘Antarctic Blue Whale Project’ and associated research activities planned for the 201314 season and coming years, according to a release from the Southern Ocean Research Partnership, SORP.
South Georgia ‘area’ will be surveyed by Argentine scientific research vessel
Argentina’s scientific research vessel “Dr. Eduardo L. Holmberg” left on Friday from Mar del Plata for the South Georgia area for a thirty day cruise in the framework of the Convention for the conservation of Antarctic marine living resources, CCAMLR, reports the Foreign Ministry from Buenos Aires.
Shackleton’s centenary scholarship to encourage scientific research in South Atlantic and Antarctica
By Harold Briley - The Falkland Islands, South Georgia or the British Antarctic Territories stand to benefit from an ambitious science research project to commemorate Ernest Shackleton’s 1914 trans-Antarctic expedition.
Prince Harry in South Pole race in support of wounded servicemen
Britain’s Prince Harry will take part in a race to the South Pole with a team of wounded British servicemen and women it was announced over the weekend. The 28-year-old will take on teams from the United States and the Commonwealth in the 335km Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge in November and December this year.
Antarctica tour operators hold four-day annual meeting in Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas in the extreme south of Chile will be hosting until next Thursday the four-day annual meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, IAATO which has a confirmed attendance of over a hundred representatives from the industry.
Antarctica summer ice melt at it highest level in 1.000 years
The summer ice melt in parts of Antarctica is at its highest level in 1,000 years, Australian and British researchers reported on Monday, adding new evidence of the impact of global warming on sensitive Antarctic glaciers and ice shelves.
Argentina’s Antarctica flagship ‘Almirante Irizar’ remains ‘grounded’ in controversy
Six years ago this week Argentina’s icebreaker ‘Almirante Irizar’ and symbol of the country’s presence in Antarctica caught fire and was an almost loss. The government pledged to have the vessel back sailing in a couple of years but now it has surfaced that only 50% of repairs have been completed and the whole enterprise is involved in deep controversy.

