Tourism in Antarctica Quadruples inside of a Decade

Just reading an interesting article by Simon Jenkins at Guardian.co.uk regarding tourism in Antarctica.  Incredibly, visitor numbers to the white continent have quadrupled over the past decade, with a 14% increase compared to last season alone. 

As anyone who has ventured to the Antarctic will I'm sure agree, the scenery and wildlife that one encounters down there is just astounding.  For many of our passengers this is a trip of a lifetime and is strangely humbling.  I've heard of numerous passengers returning home and making considerable lifestyle changes. There's something about the vastness and remoteness of the continent that puts things into perspective.  But if it comes at a potential price to the continent itself, then what?  The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) proffers strict guidelines as to conduct of adventure cruise vessels in Antarctica, which so far keeps things in check. But what of the future?  Like journalist Simon Jenkins says - there are no police in Antarctica, and territorial claims from various governments (including our own) are looming large.... The world has truly opened up. Even the Northeast Passage, closed to visitors for the past fifty years or so, will see an icebreaker carrying paying passengers through its icy straits this summer.  Visitors can stand at the North and South Pole thanks to intrepid adventure operators... 

You can read about IAATO guidelines and passenger statistics across the various landing site on the Antarctic Peninsula at their website.