Comments on: US Calls for Stricter Tourism Guidelines in Antarctica http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:21:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: 18 places that make you feel small | weeklypop http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-8694 18 places that make you feel small | weeklypop Mon, 06 Sep 2010 02:48:30 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-8694 [...] to pull yourself up the cables on the final ascent. Photo: Aya Padron 13. Antarctica Travelers to Antarctica report losing all sense of distance — the geographic scale is so immense and the ice fields so [...] [...] to pull yourself up the cables on the final ascent. Photo: Aya Padron 13. Antarctica Travelers to Antarctica report losing all sense of distance — the geographic scale is so immense and the ice fields so [...]

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]]> By: mekuria getinet | new media designer » Photo Essay: 18 Places to Feel Dwarfed by Nature #photography http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-8620 mekuria getinet | new media designer » Photo Essay: 18 Places to Feel Dwarfed by Nature #photography Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:34:04 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-8620 [...] Antarctica Travelers to Antarctica report losing all sense of distance — the geographic scale is so immense and the ice fields [...] [...] Antarctica Travelers to Antarctica report losing all sense of distance — the geographic scale is so immense and the ice fields [...]

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]]> By: Antarctica Flights: Australian Sidetrip? http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-7098 Antarctica Flights: Australian Sidetrip? Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:45:37 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-7098 [...] JUNE, Matador Change editor Julie Schwietert posted US Calls for Stricter Tourism Guidelines in Antarctica. It drew in some interesting viewpoints about travel to the white [...] [...] JUNE, Matador Change editor Julie Schwietert posted US Calls for Stricter Tourism Guidelines in Antarctica. It drew in some interesting viewpoints about travel to the white [...]

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]]> By: Antarctica Time lapse: A Year on Ice http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-6800 Antarctica Time lapse: A Year on Ice Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:06:20 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-6800 [...] Like what you see? Then you will enjoy TNB’s 5 Amazing Time Lapse Travel Videos. Looking to land a job in Antarctica? First you will want to chat with Matador’s Antarctica expert for some advice. If you are interested in visiting you may want to read up at Change on the fact that the US Calls for Stricter Tourism Guidelines in Antarctica. [...] [...] Like what you see? Then you will enjoy TNB’s 5 Amazing Time Lapse Travel Videos. Looking to land a job in Antarctica? First you will want to chat with Matador’s Antarctica expert for some advice. If you are interested in visiting you may want to read up at Change on the fact that the US Calls for Stricter Tourism Guidelines in Antarctica. [...]

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]]> By: Stevo http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2519 Stevo Wed, 08 Apr 2009 00:01:11 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2519 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. 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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]]> By: Hal http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2517 Hal Tue, 07 Apr 2009 19:46:35 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2517 Me too, Lola. Let's sneak down there while no one's looking. ;) Me too, Lola. Let’s sneak down there while no one’s looking. ;)

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]]> By: Scott http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2515 Scott Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:04:44 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2515 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. 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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]]> By: Eva http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2513 Eva Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:47:39 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2513 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. 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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]]> By: Tim Patterson http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2510 Tim Patterson Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:40:13 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2510 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. 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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]]> By: Julie Schwietert http://matadorchange.com/us-calls-for-stricter-tourism-guidelines-in-antarctica/comment-page-1#comment-2508 Julie Schwietert Tue, 07 Apr 2009 02:52:41 +0000 http://matadorchange.com/?p=119#comment-2508 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. 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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