Tag: International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)

• Tuesday, June 9th 2026 - 14:20 UTC

  IAATO's new Geofenced Whale Area around South Orkney Islands

  

  On World Oceans Day the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, IAATO reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Southern Ocean by announcing the establishment of a new voluntary “Geofenced Whale Area” around the South Orkney Islands beginning in the 2026/27 Antarctic season.

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• Sunday, May 3rd 2026 - 09:54 UTC

  Another Antarctica season of over 100.000 visitors, according to IAATO

  

  The latest official report from IAATO, (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators), put total 2024-25 visitation at 118,491, after 122,072 in 2023-24, meaning traffic remains well above the 100,000 mark even after a modest pullback.

• Saturday, April 25th 2026 - 16:12 UTC

  Viking's Jørn Henriksen new IAATO executive committee chair

  

  Jørn Henriksen, director of expedition operations at Viking, was elected chair of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, (IAATO) executive committee.

• Wednesday, April 22nd 2026 - 09:17 UTC

  Falklands participating at the IAATO annual meeting at Annapolis, MD

  

  A delegation of Falkland Islands representatives is currently attending the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, IAATO, Annual Meeting, (20/23 April), which also includes a Marketplace expo, at Annapolis, Maryland, United States

• Wednesday, April 1st 2026 - 08:44 UTC

  Antarctica, eco-sail expedition vessels will have a hybrid sail propulsion system

  

  Oceanwide Expeditions which specializes in Arctic and Antarctic cruises will construct two 146-passenger eco-sail expedition vessels, constructed with a hybrid sail propulsion system, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operational emissions.

• Friday, November 28th 2025 - 00:48 UTC

  Standardizing Professional Development for Polar Guides, AECO/IAATO conference

  

  Cruise Industry News is reporting that The Polar Tourism Guides Association (PGTA), is looking forward to an upcoming inaugural AECO/IAATO Field Staff Conference (FSC), designed for guides and expedition leaders (ELs) in Arctic and Antarctic expedition tourism.

• Thursday, July 31st 2025 - 22:34 UTC

  US State Department website advisories for travelers to Antarctica

  

  The U.S. State Department has renewed two of its website Travel Advisories for Antarctica reminding travelers to “increase basically” their situational awareness in the area containing some of the edgiest and most volatile conditions. The advice, revised on 28 July 2025, warns of the dangers of the continent’s harsh and unpredictable weather, which can change at short notice and scupper travel plans. The advisory also cites the region’s lack of emergency medical care that could further endanger visitors.

• Saturday, June 7th 2025 - 06:32 UTC

  IAATO mandates acoustic mitigation measures for B1 killer whales in 2025/26 season

  

  IAATO, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, is mandating members operating in whale rich waters around the Antarctica Peninsula to implement acoustic mitigations measures, reports Anne Kalosh from Seatrade Cruise News.

• Saturday, May 3rd 2025 - 08:39 UTC

  Tourism tsunami in Antarctica, 125,000 visitors per season and growing

  

  The massive inflow of tourism in Antarctica during the austral summer, almost 125,000 visitors per season, more than double the number five years ago, is becoming a growing concern for many NGOs and conservation organizations.

• Thursday, April 24th 2025 - 05:58 UTC

  IAATO Reaffirms Commitment to Antarctic Ambassadorship with Update to Bylaws

  

  The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering global stewardship for Antarctica through a key update to its bylaws, further solidifying Antarctic ambassadorship as a central pillar of its mission.