Photo: elisfanclub
Earlier today, Fran Golden, co-author of Frommer’s Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call
Concerned about travelers’ safety and environmental integrity in the remote and frigid, region, Secretary Clinton’s proposal included:
“…new requirements on the number of lifeboats on ships…,[m]andatory limits on the size of cruise ships sailing in Antarctica and the number of passengers [who] can be brought ashore…, [as well as] one guide for every 20 visitors ashore.”
Signatory members of the Antarctic Treaty and the Arctic Council received Secretary Clinton’s proposal positively, but it remains to be seen if the policies advocated by the US will be implemented, especially if Antarctic tour operators have their say.
Antarctica has no government and does not belong to any country, though it is a temporary home to researchers from all over the world. To date, many of the continent’s tourism policies have been agreed upon by the Treaty and Council nations, which have little, if any, authority to exercise enforcement.
What kinds of policies might benefit Antarctica, how should tourism policies for the continent be developed, and how might they be enforced? Share your ideas in the comments below.
COMMUNITY CONNECTION:
Believe it or not, Matador has an Antarctica destination expert! rico nico, originally from San Francisco, California, worked in the dining room at McMurdo Station for five months. About the experience, he writes:
My experience at McMurdo was one my life’s highlights. I commonly describe it as “living on another planet.” Of the many oddities, a few of the most profound are: the absence of children, not seeing the stars or the moon (daylight 24/7), and the monochromatic landscape. Everything is white, grey, or blue. Seeing green and smelling the earth when I came home was incredible!
Another huge perk: included in your free/paid, trip to Antarctica is a return-when-you-wish trip to New Zealand (your departure point for the ice). I’ve been down there twice and am happy to make suggestions about traveling the islands–from how to buy a car to what trails to backpack.
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10 Comments... join the discussion!
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Lola-
I definitely think that policies put in place for safety and environmental reasons are positive–somewhat akin, I guess, to the Galapagos. What really interests me about this particular news bite, though, is the fact that compliance is likely to be voluntary rather than mandatory, as it seems that no single country or entity really has the resources or the authority to exercise jurisdiction or regulatory power over compliance. I’m not sure there’s any other place in the world where a situation exists quite like this one.
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I chose not to go to Antarctica last year. The contrast between the reality of the place and the luxury of the tourism is just too weird. Antarctica is a destination one should have to earn.
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Hmm. As far as voluntary participation in the new safety/etc restrictions go, maybe tour operators that refuse to adhere to the guidelines should be on the hook for any costs associated with a rescue effort?
Also: no single nation may control Antarctica, but all of these operators have home ports. I’m sure with some creativity (and, of course, the willingness to make this stick) governments could cooperate to control operators that aren’t willing to be reasonable.
As far as Antarctica itself goes, I’ve always sort of felt like it’s the only part of the planet with NO naturally occurring human residents — and as such, it really ought to be left alone. These controls are a good start.
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I went to Antarctica in 2006 as a part of a small expedition.
While we were there we were treated to talks by local scientists and experts on many aspects of the continent. One thing that was generally agreed upon by everyone was that there have been big changes in the last few decades.
I was lucky enough to be on a 75-passenger ship–most tourists are not. I would have to say that most ships we saw were huge ocean liners that had about a 400-passenger capacity.
It’s getting to the point where people go just to go and say they’ve done it–they really don’t care about any ecological aspects of the area they’re visiting.
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Me too, Lola. Let’s sneak down there while no one’s looking.
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Bravo. This looks like a great initiative. Tourism in Antarctica should be limited. I doubt the tour companies will agree. I’ll agree with another commenter: It’s a trip that should be earned.
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