Tag: Antartic tourism

• Sunday, July 6th 2025 - 11:45 UTC

  As more and more tourists flock to Antarctica: a visitors’ tax and a numbers’ system cap

  

  By Daria Hatton MacDonald , University of Tasmania And Elizabeth Leane, University of Tasmania - The number of tourists heading to Antarctica has been skyrocketing. From fewer than 8,000 a year about three decades ago, nearly 125,000 tourists flocked to the icy continent in 2023–24. The trend is likely to continue in the long term.

• Wednesday, September 15th 2021 - 11:55 UTC

  Back to earth: Ushuaia admits much uncertainty about the coming cruise season

  

  The recent decision by Silverseas Cruises to move its operations to neighboring Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams in Chile, has shaken Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia officials who are complaining that the Argentine government, despite promises, has yet to deliver the sanitary protocol for vessels and crew, calling in Ushuaia, plus announcing when borders will be opened.

• Thursday, August 19th 2021 - 05:29 UTC

  Antarctic Ambassadorship Day Announced on 30th Anniversary of International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the launch of a global Antarctic Ambassadorship Day to be held for the first time in April 2022.

• Friday, May 21st 2021 - 23:21 UTC

  “Scenic Eclipse II”, confidence in the cruise industry and the luxury travel market

  

  In a strong message of confidence for the future of the cruise industry and the luxury travel market, Scenic has started production on Scenic Eclipse II, the sister ship to Scenic Eclipse, the world’s most luxurious discovery yacht. The beginning of production was announced at the keel-laying ceremony, with the Croatian Prime Minister in attendance.

• Saturday, November 30th 2019 - 06:44 UTC

  Swimming with penguins and whales off Antarctica Peninsula

  

  “It's like getting stabbed,” a tourist exclaims as he plunges into the three degree Celsius water, all under the intrigued gaze of a group of penguins. All around Half Moon Island, off the Antarctic Peninsula, blocks of ice of all sizes float by on a calm sea, their varying forms resembling weightless origami shapes.

• Wednesday, October 9th 2019 - 09:50 UTC

  Ushuaia anticipates an exceptional cruise season with 431 calls

  

  Ushuaia, extreme south of Argentina and the hub which handles most Antarctica bound cruises are expecting an exceptional 2019/20 season with some 431 calls, up from the 392 of the previous season, according to provincial port authorities.

• Friday, May 3rd 2019 - 21:19 UTC

  IAATO: New Measures to Manage Growth

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) closed its annual meeting in Cape Town with multiple new measures in support of its mission for safe, environmentally responsible Antarctic travel, according to a statement.

• Sunday, May 13th 2018 - 13:43 UTC

  Falklands attended the IAATO annual conference in United States

  

  Falkland Islands tourism ambassadors Steph Middleton and Carli Sudder are returning from the United States after attending this year’s International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) conference in Newport, Rhode Island. Steph Middleton is Executive Director of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board, while Carl Sudder is Tourism Coordinator at Sulivan Shipping and Chair of the Falklands Travel Association.

• Wednesday, December 27th 2017 - 09:29 UTC

  Antarctica cruise revolution: hybrid electric LNG powered icebreaker

  

  French luxury shipping line Ponant announced a world first with a hybrid electric-LNG powered icebreaker. The luxury vessel promises to deliver around 300 passengers to places never before visited by cruise passengers in ultra-luxury – and with the least damage to the environment.

• Thursday, October 5th 2017 - 10:15 UTC

  Growing number of Chinese tourists visit Antarctica, but with carbon credits

  

  The number of Chinese visitors to the Antarctic Peninsula is growing rapidly, adding to concerns over the fragile ecosystem. It’s almost a three-week trip and will cost at least 100,000 Yuan (US$15,000), and before a foot is set on frozen land, special boots are needed to walk over a sponge mat soaked in disinfectant. Besides this season Chinese tourists will have to purchase carbon credits to offset emissions.