The number of adventurous tourists visiting Antarctica dipped in the 2014-15 austral season but is expected to bounce back this year, according to visitor totals released by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
Tony Mason, Director, International Communications and Stephanie Middleton, Interim CEO of the Falkland Islands Tourist Board are in Rotterdam, Netherlands this week attending the IAATO conference where key issues affecting the region will be discussed.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and two member operators, Oceanwide Expeditions and Heritage Expeditions, took part in a live Search and Rescue (SAR) Exercise in collaboration with Maritime New Zealand’s Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) on Feb. 12.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) announced the appointment of Tudor Morgan to the full-time position of Environmental Manager. Tudor’s overall role is to support safe and environmentally responsible tourism to Antarctica, with a particular focus on field operations.
The Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and the International Association for Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), in cooperation with Lindblad Expeditions, have found a way for cruise operators to share years of depth soundings from the Arctic and Antarctica.
Claudia Holgate, Environmental Manager for the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), has decided to step down from the position, which has grown to become full time.
During the upcoming Antarctic season, from November through March, 36,545 tourists are expected to visit, according to estimates compiled by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO). That’s a slight dip from the 37,405 who visited in 2013-14, which was a 9 percent increase from the previous year.
In the Government of South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands’ annual address to the tourism industry at the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) meeting in Providence, Richard McKee, GSGSSI Executive Officer summarized the 2013-14 season as incredibly busy and diverse given the 55 cruise ship calls.
Poseidon Expeditions has published its departure dates and rate schedule for the 2015-16 Antarctic season aboard the 114-passenger expedition ship Sea Spirit. Cruises to the White Continent will range from 12 to 23 days in duration and include landings at the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and Falkland Islands.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) met in Providence, Rhode Island from 27-29 May for their 25th gathering of members and as at previous meetings, the goal was to review the past year and discuss current and future issues for the Antarctic tourism industry in line with the association’s mission to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible tourism.