Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T16:49:45.982Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Antarctic tourism management and regulation: the need for change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2013

Jane Verbitsky
Jane Verbitsky*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Sciences, AUT University, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1020, New Zealand (jane.verbitsky@aut.ac.nz)
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Antarctic tourism has experienced a boom period over the last thirty years. Beginning in the 1980s, the number of tourists who visited the continent annually began to rise sharply, and within the space of twenty years the numbers had increased by more than six hundred percent. Despite a global recession and downturn in visitor numbers over the last two austral seasons, the expectation is that Antarctic tourist numbers will trend upward again as the world tourism market recovers and the demand for Antarctic visits increases. In a continent renowned both as the last great global wilderness and as a place dedicated to scientific research in the interests of humankind, tourism on this scale presents a formidable range of issues for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties (ATCPs) to contend with. This article suggests that the rapid growth in Antarctic tourism, and the impacts of that tourism coupled with the lack of a comprehensive regulatory and management framework for tourism now pose a considerable challenge to both the Consultative Parties and to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) itself. The obligations and duties of the ATCPs under the Antarctic Treaty and other ATS instruments require a robust, strategic response by them to the issues and concerns generated by the growth of tourism. What is needed, it is argued, is for the parties to initiate a more interventionist pro-active policy approach to create a holistic, binding tourism framework so that they may fulfill more effectively their stewardship and governance roles in Antarctica, prevent degradation of Antarctica's environment, and reduce risks to tourists themselves.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 49 , Issue 3: THEMED SECTION: POLAR WORLDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2011 , July 2013 , pp. 278 - 285
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Antarctic Treaty. 1959. Washington DC: United Nations Treaty Series 402(5778). Entered into force 4 August, 1961.Google Scholar
Antarctic Treaty. 1991. Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the Madrid Protocol). 1991. 30 ILM 1461.Google Scholar
Antarctic Treaty. 2004. Antarctic Treaty meeting of experts on tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica. Chairman's report. Tromso-Trondheim (22–25 March 2004).Google Scholar
Antarctic Treaty. 2009. Antarctic Treaty meeting of experts on the management of ship-borne tourism in the Antarctic Treaty area. Chair's report. Wellington. (9–11 December 2009).Google Scholar
ATCM (Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting). 2009. Final report of the thirty second Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting Baltimore, United States. 6–17 April 2009. Buenos Aires: Secretariat of the Antarctic. Treaty.Google Scholar
Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2011a. Antarctic Treaty database. Tourism. URL: http://www.ats.aq/devAS/info_measures_list_filtered.aspx?lang=e&cat=14&curr=False (accessed 16 January 2011.Google Scholar
Antarctic Treaty Secretariat. 2011b. The Antarctic Treaty: membership. URL: http://www.ats.aq/devAS/ats_parties.aspx?lang=e. (accessed 30 January 2012).Google Scholar
Antarctica New Zealand. 2011. Environmental stewardship. URL: http://www.antarcticanz.govt.nz/environmental-stewardship (accessed 3 March 2011).Google Scholar
Australia. 2004. An analysis of potential threats and opportunities offered by Antarctic tourism. Tromso-Trondheim: (ATME paper 17. Attachment A. Antarctic Treaty meeting of experts on tourism and non-governmental activities in Antarctica).Google Scholar
Baslar, K. 1998. The concept of the common heritage of mankind in international law. The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.Google Scholar
Bastmeijer, K. 2005. Managing human activities in Antarctica: should wilderness protection count? New Zealand Yearbook of International Law. URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=969388 (accessed 18 January 2010.Google Scholar
Bastmeijer, K. and Roura, R.. 2008. Environmental impact assessment in Antarctica. In: Bastmeijer, K. and Koivurova, T. (editors). Theory and practice of transboundary environmental impact assessment. Leiden/Boston: Brill/Martinus Nijhoff Publishers: 347–389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bastmeijer, K. 2009. A long term strategy for Antarctic tourism: the key to decision making within the Antarctic Treaty System?. URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1335091 (accessed 5 October 2009).Google Scholar
Bauer, T. 2001. Tourism in the Antarctic: opportunities, constraints and future prospects. New York: Haworth Hospitality Press.Google Scholar
Beck, P. 1990. Regulating one of the last tourism frontiers: Antarctica. Applied Geography 10 (4): 343–356.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Beck, P. 1994. Managing Antarctic tourism: a front-burner issue. Annals of Tourism Research 21 (2): 375–386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berkman, P. 2010. Common interests in the international space of Antarctica. Polar Record 46 (236): 7–9.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Blumenfeld, S. 2010. For science and peace: the creation and evolution of the Antarctic Treaty system. Yale Economic Review 6 (1): 28–36.Google Scholar
British Antarctic Survey. 2011. Why protect Antarctica?. Cambridge: British Antarctic Survey. URL: http://www.antarctica.ac.uk/about_antarctica/environment/why_protect_antarctica.php. (accessed 26 February 2011).Google Scholar
Brundtland Commission. 1987: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our common future. Oxford: Oxford University Press. URL: http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-10.htm. (accessed 2 September 2009).Google Scholar
Buckley, R. 2000. Neat trends: current issues in nature, eco- and adventure tourism. International Journal of Tourism Research 2:437–444.3.0.CO;2-#>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buck, S. 1998. The global commons: an introduction. Washington: Island Press.Google Scholar
Cawley, N. 2009. Feeling the heat. New Zealand Listener 218 (3596): 27–31.Google Scholar
Cessford, G. 1997. Antarctic tourism: a frontier for wilderness management. International Journal of Wilderness Management 3 (3): 7–11.Google Scholar
Davis, P. 1999. Beyond guidelines: a model for Antarctic tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 26 (3): 516–533.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dodds, K. 2011. Sovereignty watch: claimant states, resources, and territory in contemporary Antarctica. Polar Record 47 (242): 231–243.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enzenbacher, D. 1992. Antarctic tourism and environmental concerns. Marine Pollution Bulletin 25 (9–12): 258–265.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enzenbacher, D. 1993. Tourists in Antarctica: numbers and trends. Tourism Management 14 (2): 142–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enzenbacher, D. 2007. Antarctic tourism policy-making. In: Triggs, G. and Riddell, A. (editors). Antarctica: legal and environmental challenges for the future. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law: 155–189.Google Scholar
Haase, D., Storey, B., McIntosh, A., Carr, A. and Gilbert, N.. 2007. Stakeholder perspectives on regulatory aspects of Antarctic tourism. Tourism in Marine Environments 4 (2–30): 167–183.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hayashi, M. 1986. The Antarctica question at the United Nations. Cornell International Law Journal 19: 275–290.Google Scholar
Harris, C. 1998, Science and environmental management in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica. In Priscu, J. (editor). Ecosystem dynamics in a polar desert - the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica, Washington: AGU. Antarctic. Research. Series:.72: 337–350.Google Scholar
Headland, R. 1994. Historical development of Antarctic tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 21 (2): 269–280.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hemmings, A. and Roura, R.. 2003. A square peg in a round hole: fitting impact assessment under the Antarctic Environmental Protocol to Antarctic tourism. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 21 (1): 13–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hemmings, A. 2007. Globalization's cold genius and the ending of Antarctic isolation. In: Kriwoken, L., Jabour, J. and Hemmings, A. (editors). Looking south: Australia's Antarctic agenda. Sydney: Federation Press: 176–190.Google Scholar
Heywood, A. 2002. Politics. Basingstoke: Palgrave.Google Scholar
Howkins, A. 2008. Defending polar empire: opposition to India's proposal to raise the ‘Antarctica Question’ at the United Nations in 1956. Polar Record 44 (228): 35–44.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
IAATO. (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). 2009. Land-based tourist facilities. Agenda Item: ATCM 11. IP 101. (Antarctic Treaty consultative meeting XXXII. Baltimore 2009).Google Scholar
IAATO. (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). 2011a. About IAATO; scope of Antarctic tourism. URL: http://www.iaato.org/about.html (accessed 7 March 2011).Google Scholar
IAATO. (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). 2011b. Bylaws. URL: http://www.iaato.org/bylaws.html (accessed 28 February 2011).Google Scholar
IAATO. (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators). 2011c. 1992–2001 Antarctic tourism trends; 2000–20001 Tourists by nationality; 2006–2007 Tourists by nationality. URL http://www.iaato.org/tourism_stats.html (accessed 7 March 2011).Google Scholar
Joyner, C. 1986. Protection of the Antarctic environment: rethinking the problems and prospects. Cornell International Law Journal 259: 259–273.Google Scholar
Joyner, C. 1998. Governing the frozen commons: the Antarctic regime and environmental protection. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press.Google Scholar
Klein, R. 2010. Cruises and bruises: safety, security and social issues on polar cruises. In: Lück, M., Maher, P. and Stewart, E. (editors). Cruise tourism in polar regions: promoting environmental and social sustainability? London and Washington: Earthscan: 58–74.Google Scholar
Laws, R.International stewardship of the Antarctic: problems, successes and future options. Marine Protection Bulletin 16 (2): 49–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liggett, D., McIntosh, A., Thompson, A., Storey, B. and Gilbert, N.. 2010. Stakeholder perspectives on the governance of Antarctic cruise tourism. In: Lück, M., Maher, P. and Stewart, E. (editors). Cruise tourism in polar regions: promoting environmental and social sustainability? London and Washington: Earthscan: 167–180.Google Scholar
Liggett, D.A., McIntosh, , Thompson, A., Gilbert, N. and Storey, B.. 2011. From frozen continent to tourism hotspot? Five decades of Antarctic tourism development and management, and a glimpse into the future. Tourism Management 32 (2011): 357–366.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lynch, H., Crosbie, K., Fagan, W. and Naveen, R.. 2009. Spatial patterns of tour ship traffic in the Antarctic Peninsula region. Antarctic Science 22 (2): 123–130.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maggs, T. 2010. Australia makes flying inspections. Australian Antarctic magazine 18. URL: http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/australian-antarctic-magazine/issue-18-2010/australia-makes-flying-inspections (accessed 16 January 2011).Google Scholar
Molenaar, E. 2005. Sea-borne tourism in Antarctica: avenues for further intergovernmental regulation. The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law 20 (2): 247–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, C. and Jabour, J.. 2004. Independent expeditions and Antarctic tourism policy. Polar Record 40 (215): 309–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
New Zealand, Australia. 2006. Regulation of land-based infrastructure to support tourism in Antarctica. Agenda item ATCM 12 WP 15 rev.1. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XXIX.Google Scholar
Rayfuse, R. 2008. Warm waters and cold shoulders: jostling for jurisdiction in polar oceans. University of New South Wales Faculty of Law Research Series 56. URL: http://works.bepress.com/rosemary_rayfuse/4 (accessed 25 September 2010).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reich, R. 1980. The development of Antarctic tourism. Polar Record 20 (126): 203–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sands, P. 1992. The Antarctic treaty regime: a model for international environmental law? In: Verhoeven, J., Sands, P. and Maxwell, B. (editors). The Antarctic environment and international law. London: Graham and Trotman: 53–62.Google Scholar
Smith, V. 1994. A sustainable Antarctic: science and tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 21 (2):221–230.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, J. and Stonehouse, B.. 2007. The growing significance of polar tourism. In: Snyder, J. and Stonehouse, B. (editors). Prospects for polar tourism. Oxford: CABI International: 3–14.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stonehouse, B. 2007. Developments in Antarctic tourism: introduction. In: Snyder, J. and Stonehouse, B. (editors). Prospects for polar tourism. Oxford: CABI International: 147–148.Google Scholar
Stonehouse, B., and Snyder, J.. 2010. Polar tourism: an environmental perspective. Bristol: Channel View Publications.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
United Kingdom. 2004. Tourism and self-regulation: a commentary on IAATO. Tromso-Trondheim. (ATME paper 4. Antarctic Treaty meeting of experts on tourism and non-governmental activities. Tromso-Trondheim).Google Scholar
United Kingdom. 2009. Strategic vision of Antarctic tourism for the next decade. (ATCM XXXII. Baltimore 2009. working paper 10).Google Scholar
United Kingdom. 2009. Strategic vision of Antarctic tourism for the next decade. ATCM 11 WP 010.Google Scholar
United States National Science Foundation. 2011. US Antarctic program environmental stewardship. URL: http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/antarct/eas/start.jsp (accessed 27 February 2012.Google Scholar
WTO (World Tourism Organization). 2012a. International tourism receipts surpass US$ 1 trillion in 2011. Press release 7 May 2012. PR No.12027.Google Scholar
WTO (World Tourism Organization). 2012b. International tourism off to a strong start. Press release 10 May 2012 PR No.12028.Google Scholar