Expedition Cruises to Antarctica
by Ted Scull.
The figures here, from this press release (in green), tell a lot about expedition cruises to Antartica.
The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) announced the numbers of IAATO visitors* to the White Continent for the recently completed 2015-2016 season.
The total, 38,478, represented an increase of 4.6% compared to 2014-2015 period. The steady rise has been maintained since 2011-2012, and an estimated 43,885 visitors are expected for the upcoming season, however, this figure is still short of the peak numbers — 46,265 during the 2007-2008 period, the last season before the deep recession hit.
Chinstrap penguins having a natter at Half Moon Bay, Antarctica. * Photo: Ted Scull
Okay, that’s a lot of figures to absorb, so now hear this. As many passengers sail from the Port of Miami to the Caribbean in a two- or three-day period as visit Antarctica in an entire year. Now we know where the mainstream goes.
Now let’s break down the figures even further.
The overwhelming number of visitors traveled to the Antarctic Peninsula, including 21.3% aboard ships carrying 500 or more passengers that made no landings.
Big ships are not allowed to land passengers; they just watch the ice float by hoping to see some signs of life. Small ships land everyone into the midst of all the action.
Only a tiny percentage (1.1%) of those who came by ship ventured into the continent’s interior, while almost all (98.9%) visit the Peninsula to make landings.
They encounter penguins of several types, walrus, and seals — all quite relaxed about having a few visitors come calling. This is not the straw market in Nassau or the maelstrom of humanity that descends onto the shores at St. Thomas.
Air/sea passengers flying from South America to Antarctica (instead of going by ship) form 6% of the total. However, this relatively small number increased by a third over the previous year.
These passengers chose to fly the Drake Passage and then immediately joined the ship. It saved time and avoided possible rough seas, though the drawbacks are the extra cost and the possibility of bad flying weather, not being able to land in Antarctica as scheduled, and losing time on the cruise itinerary.
You fly all the way from the Northern Hemisphere to the southern tip of South America. Now choose whether you want another cramped plane ride or let me get aboard my ship now. Forget about the dreaded Drake Passage, unpack, settle in, have a good meal, hear what’s exciting ahead from the naturalists.
U.S. visitors formed 35.5% of the total with Australians second at 11%.
While the U.S. accounted for over three times the number of Australians, its population is nearly 15 times that of OZ. Aussies have become remarkable travelers. I am married to one. They make very good companions, and we, thanks to my Aussie, are always on the move or contemplating one.
China’s 10.6%, now in third place, increased by more than 25% over the previous season; then the British totaled (8.4%), Germans (7.4%) and Canadians (4.8%).
Chinese penchant for cruising is skyrocketing worldwide, along with bragging rights. Antarctica is a big brag.
Then a last congratulatory statement by the organization that sets the rules and standards for its members.
IAATO, over the last 25 years, has demonstrated that careful management of visitors can avoid adverse impact on the environment. The continued increasing Antarctic-bound numbers will impose a continuing challenge to maintain the successful stewardship.
Hiking in the Arctic. * Photo: Leika Akademie-Siegfried Brueck.
High ideals and they seem to work. Let’s hope travel to Antarctica continues to have a low impact on the wildlife and landscape. What has been the difference between the penguins’ experience in Antarctica over the last 30-40 years in terms of the number of visitors arriving, and what has the impact been on the residents of Nassau or St. Thomas when a half dozen mega cruise ships arrive on the same day?
There are several ways to look at this, so go pick yours.
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HEIDI SARNA
