Following up on my previous blog about tourism in Antarctica.... I've just read with interest an article by Guardian Unlimited's Rachel Williams, calling into question the ethics of travelling to the frozen continent. It's easier than ever to jump on a plane and globetrot - up until recently British holidaymakers had few qualms about escaping somewhere exotic, however it's clear that today's traveller wants more out of their holiday than just a suntan and a week on a beach to show for it (not that there's anything wrong with that - each to their own I say). And just maybe we're all growing a conscience about those fossil fuels we're burning with our annual (sorry, make that tri-annual) escape from these grey skies. But let's face it - in this age of convenience - I mean, a hotel at the top of Machu Picchu?!? - we need to do more than cast a passing thought about how our thirst for adventure is affecting the planet.
Antarctica is without doubt one of the most pristine environments left on the planet, and is also one of the most thrilling. The continent has opened up on a massive scale (in Antarctic terms) to visitors. As a tour operator offering the facility to passengers to experience Antarctica, we at Discover the World are acutely aware of the need to play our part in the preservation of the continent. Yes - we are a business, yes - people travelling down there means that we all make a living, but we look to do so with a conscience, and that's very important to us.
Discover the World have always had the bigger picture in mind - after all - we were the first travel company to champion whale watching in Iceland over 20 years ago as a viable alternative to hunting, and we're proud to support the Whale Museum at Husavik. Therefore it's only natural that we are picky about the operators that we work with in Antarctica. You won't see any mammoth cruise ships in our portfolio.
We're only too happy to see that the press are publicising the need to control tourism in Antarctica, and to control those operators offering tours in this remote region. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators plays an important role in keeping the operators in check, however as a self-governed organisation essentially there needs to be something else in place to protect this delicate environment. Nobody owns Antarctica - so where does the responsibility lie? Let's hope that the delegates' voices at the annual Antarctic Treaty meeting this week will highlight the need for definite rules and regulations. Up until recently it was only the icebreakers or ice-strengthened vessels that dared venture around Antarctica, however with the huge upturn in visitors wanting to explore the continent, the potential of the area has caught the attention of larger cruise ships. It's the possible environmental disaster involving one of these ships thats worrying.
So - what makes Discover the World different from the rest? Well, like I said, we're choosy about who we work with. We concentrate on providing intimate experiences. What people get is a real insight into the environment in which they are travelling. One of our favoured partners is the voyage operator Quark Expeditions, who are well-known and respected within polar circles as pioneers of expedition 'cruising' in both the Arctic and Antarctic. Quark employ experts in their field to work onboard their vessels, and they have a wealth of experience in their captains and crew, who are ice masters and seamen extraordinaire.... Amongst Quark's team you'll find members of the Scott Polar Research Institute, research scientists, naturalists, historians... the list of those with a vested interest in the polar regions just goes on. By travelling with such a well-respected and knowledgable bunch of individuals our clients know that they are fulfilling their dreams, but are doing so with the least possible negative effect on the environment. Let's face it - whenever there's a demand for anything in this life there will always be people there wanting to make a living out of supplying that demand. The calibre of Quark's lecturers and expedition team is testament to how respected Quark is in the polar regions - the experts surely wouldn't work for a company which did not advocate 'clean' travel in these regions...
Quark is an active member of IAATO, and has supported (in the UK and New Zealand) the Antarctic Heritage Trust, which does invaluable work in the preservation of the historic huts of the Ross Sea region. The company also supports the Save the Albatross campaign, and further contributes to scientific research by frequently providing logicstical support to the National Science Foundation, the Australian Antarctic Division, and other scientific organisations studying environmental issues, climate change, wildlife and the Antarctic ecosystem. The company reviews all of its Antarctic operations annual with the US Environmental Protection Agency.
We raised an eyebrow when it was announced that the larger cruise vessels would be travelling the Antarctic coastline. We will be keeping to the small vessels (typically carrying around 50 passengers), and working with those partners that we know and trust. Throughout their experience onboard and on during landings the expedition team follow strict guidelines set by IAATO regarding the movement of passengers, to ensure minimum impact on wildlife and the environment. It's drummed into passengers that this is a delicate environment, and that washing boots in between visits to colonies, or ensuring that the germ-laden tissue in your coat pocket doesn't go flying off into a colony, are absolutely essential instructions. Smaller groups equate to a personal experience but also ensures that very little damage is done, if at all.
As a specialist tour operator in a competitive UK travel industry, we set our sights high and aim to provide 'trips of a lifetime' for our clients. It's a fine line balancing customer satisfaction with concern for the environment (each one needs to be addressed in turn) however we will continue to strive to play our part in encouraging travellers to travel with care whilst experiencing the unique areas which we feature; whether they be the wilds of Iceland, the wonders of the Galapagos, or indeed the icy expanses of Antarctica.
It's important to take good sunglasses with you on a voyage to Antarctica or the Arctic; ideally a minimum of category level 3. Snow reflection and the glare on the water can cause strain and damage to your eyes; a pair of wrap-around polarising sunglasses will save on headaches and mean that you make the most of your polar cruise. 
meaning that you can literally 'see into' the water - whether it be leopard seals darting around and under your zodiac, penguins slicing through the inky depths, or the looming mass of a submerged iceberg - you'll want to take in as much as possible both above and below the waterline! Polarising lenses (whether in sunglasses or fixed to your camera) cut out much of the 'unuseful' light so that the colours 'pop out'. An example of how polarising filters can help with polar photography can be seen in Seth White's images of Antarctica (see the link here) - where he has taken a picture through his polarised sunglasses (scroll down to the pictures of clouds at the bottom of the webpage). 
Remember, if you're wearing polarised sunglasses and have a polarising lens on your camera, then the two filters will cancel each other out and darken the viewfinder - perhaps invest in a sports strap for your sunglasses, so you can take them off and safely wear them around your neck when taking that breathtaking shot. 
