Adventure tourists long to discover dangerous and remote places – South Pole has become a massive hit over the past decades. Yet the environmental impact is visible and alarming.
Adrenalin holidays present the ultimate dream for many adventure tourists. In fact, adventure has become one of the most sought after components of holidays and many tourists seek out demanding trips which will challenge them to the end. Discovering underwater caves, rafting down giant waterfalls, trekking in the jungle – the world offers endless heart-stopping experiences as long as one is willing to pay. Visiting the icy wilderness of Antarctica has changed from a nearly overlooked idea to a promising business. At what stake though?
Two decades ago, only a few hundred visitors longed to see the South Pole and did so rather quietly. Last year, approximately 40,000 tourists paid for a cruise taking them to Antarctica, to witness this vast and dangerous place with all its wildlife and endless ice. The thrill is impossible to resist, after all, every journey through ice-berg filled seas is not an every day venture.
Sadly, such hunger for adrenalin holidays brings a major risk. According to Michiel Lamers, a Dutch Scientist who conducted a study for the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, waters around the South Pole are becoming increasingly polluted by CO2 emissions. These are directly linked to the massive cruise liners which bring tourists by thousands. Lamers claims that the rather insufficient guidelines relating to visiting the South Pole are more than vague and calls for establishing firm rules and binding international treaties which will protect the area effectively and thus will avoid further damage to the environment.
Each visit of a cruise liner influences local wildlife; irresponsible tourist companies which are often completely unprepared for the rough conditions present the biggest threat and need to be controlled before another natural treasure disappears under the pressure of adventure tourism.
The so called ecotourism and even adrenaline or adventure tourism, might be very dangerous to Natural, Cultural and Social heritage, specially in remote areas and in devloping countries.
This fashion tourism, operated by money makers, rather than sustainable companies (common sense business people), are begining to spoil these fragile environments.
let's do something!!!
A rturo Crosby
Totally agree with Arturo. Eco is just a fashion word these days. Doesn't mean much in fact. Many companies are simply abusing the popularity of sustainable and eco tours which harms the true projects that really try to help local communities or regions.
I just read this article and now feel inspired to write to my readers and pose this question..." If you were aware that your very presence in a specific destination like the South Pole was infact threatening its very existence would you still go and if so why?"
I wonder how many of the 40,000 visitors are aware of the threats they may pose based on what certain scientist claims?
Cheers
John C Spark
Expert Travel Planner
Ecotourism might be creating the opposite effect, and of course when we travel we don't want to destroy...
Maybe they'll set limits on traveling there in the future?
Interesting changes...