For this
case study we looked at ANTARCTICA
There are 3
or 4 main parts you need to know about this:
1. Why more people are taking holidays in extreme
environments and why there has been an increase in adventure holidays
2. The effects of tourism on an extreme
environment
3. Strategies to cope with increasing
tourism in an extreme environment
1/
Increasing numbers:
Antarctica
is becoming an increasingly popular destination for tourists. Tourist numbers
have gone from 9,000 in 1992-93 up to around 50,000 last year. Most fly to New
Zealand or Chile or Argentina and then take a ship from there.
The
main reason numbers have risen is:
·
Accessibility is better (though it is still a long journey)
·
Awareness of extreme environments has risen through TV and media
·
People see it as a ‘last chance to see’. In other words, due to
global warming and climate change, the Antarctic may not remain as it is for
much longer
·
More people want a holiday that is a challenge, that is off the
beaten track and that is unique. Extreme environments offer all these things.
2/ Effects tourism has:
This video is a good place to start if you are
revising the reasons more people are going to Antarctica and the effects they
are having there. You don’t need to watch past the 2 minute mark on this.
One thing to
remember about why the effects can be so serious is that:
“The environment is also
incredibly sensitive. It can take many hundreds of years for rubbish to
decompose because of the extremely low temperatures, and the food chain is also
delicate because most of the marine life rely upon Krill as their primary source
of food.”
In
other words the ENVIRONMENT IS VERY FRAGILE. If the krill are disturbed or
their numbers reduced by oil spills, then the whole ecosystem in the sea and on
land is badly affected. Large ships also mean that more people come on shore
for each visit. This makes ensuring the regulations put in place are much
harder to enforce as people spread out over a wider area and so disturb more of
the fragile environment.
3/ Managing tourism
The first agreement for
Antarctic was way back in 1961. Countries promised to make sure Antarctica is used for peaceful purposes only; to promote
international scientific cooperation in Antarctica. Tourism today still follows these rules.
Today the
IATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour operators) has its own
guidelines. But the main problem is that
these are not law and so companies don’t have to follow them. Since over 100
companies operate tours to the Antarctic, this makes things very tricky.
There is the problem of ships and the oil and other waste they can
dump in the ocean waters. This talked about on the video above. As a result
tourist ships have been. YOU NEED TO INCLUDE THIS IN EXAM ANSWERS ON THIS CASE
STUDY.
Apart from the size of the ships and possible water pollution, here are
some other useful strategies to remember for your exam
·
Limit
the number of people allowed onshore to view animals to 100 at a time
·
All
visitors to keep at least 5 metres away from all wildlife.
·
Do
not walk on moss and lichen
·
Do
not leave litter or waste
·
Have
groups led by qualified scientists, so they are told the true nature and value
of Antarctica. This will also encourage tourists to behave in a responsible
way.
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