BRUSSELS (AP) – Rising concerns about climate change potentially causing irreversible melting in Antarctica are prompting an increase in tourism to this remote region. Experts are warning that an influx of visitors may heighten risks related to pollution, disease, and environmental harm.
While visitor numbers remain relatively low—mainly due to high costs and logistical challenges—they are growing quickly enough to raise alarms among scientists and environmental advocates.
A recent incident involving a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a Dutch cruise ship highlighted the risks associated with increasing tourist traffic.
Most tourists head to the Antarctic Peninsula, a notably warmer part of the continent. From 2002 to 2020, around 149 billion tons of Antarctic ice melted each year, as reported by NASA.
One common route involves sailing from Argentina to Antarctica and then up along the African coastline, which is the path taken by the MV Hondius.
“The wildlife — whales, seals, penguins — they create a unique environment that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s quite awe-inspiring,” noted Claire Christian, head of the environmental group Antarctic and Antarctic Union.
Tourism to Antarctica is on the rise
Projections suggest that in 2024, over 80,000 tourists will set foot on the icy continent, with 36,000 more observing from ships, according to the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators.
Other estimates indicate that tourism has grown tenfold in the last 30 years.
Hanne Nielsen, an expert in Antarctic law at the University of Tasmania, anticipates that visitor numbers could escalate further in the next decade as advancements in technology lower costs and more ice-capable ships become available. Some estimates suggest numbers might reach 400,000 annually.
Nielsen pointed out that some tourists are motivated by “last chance tourism,” knowing that the landscape is changing rapidly.
Concerns about contamination
So far, there has been no confirmed contamination linked to the MV Hondius.
However, recent years have seen migratory birds introduce avian influenza from South America to Antarctica, as noted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In light of health concerns, the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators and others have tightened rules on tourist conduct and hygiene to minimize contamination risks. Tourists are advised to keep their distance from wildlife and limit ground contact.
“There are quite a few rules to follow when visiting,” Nielsen shared from her experiences as a guide. Crew members and passengers utilize vacuums, disinfectants, and brushes to clean footwear and equipment, aiming to eliminate any foreign material.
“A lot can accumulate between your boot’s tongue and laces,” she added.
Cruise ships have been known to experience outbreaks of infectious diseases, such as norovirus, which can spread quickly in confined spaces. Notably, a COVID-19 outbreak occurred on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in 2020.
Hantaviruses, which are typically transmitted through rodent feces, add another layer of concern.
Hondius Island Hopping Cruise
The World Health Organization reported that the MV Hondius departed from Ushuaia, Argentina, on April 1, making stops in Antarctica and several isolated islands.
Dr. Maria van Kerkhove, head of epidemic preparedness at the WHO, mentioned that the agency is looking into possible human-to-human transmission related to the cruise. Preliminary findings suggested the initial infection likely occurred before boarding, and there were no rats on board.
The Antarctic Treaty, established in 1959, governs the region and designates it as a scientific reserve for peaceful purposes.
The treaty aims to prevent adverse effects on the Antarctic environment, while companies and research projects voluntarily comply with biosecurity guidelines and conduct environmental impact assessments.
Calls for stricter regulations
Christian remarked that the treaty was framed at a time when tourist numbers were significantly lower.
“As with any sensitive ecological site, activities must be properly regulated,” he said from Hiroshima, where he was preparing for the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Conference.
There, he plans to advocate for improved protections for Antarctic species, like penguins, whales, seabirds, and seals, as well as krill — essential to the food chain.
For now, the allure of this frozen landscape continues to attract visitors.
“When you leave a footprint in Antarctica, it can still be there 50 years later,” Christian said.
