There is no doubt Antarctica is an incredible tourist destination. It is a magnificent and largely uninhabited wilderness with majestic mountains, glaciers, icebergs and abundant wildlife. Its remoteness, inaccessibility and severe climate add an element of adventure to a visit to Antarctica.
Visitor numbers have increased rapidly over the last few decades. During the 1998-99 summer season, over 10,000 tourists visited Antarctica compared with less than 2,000 19 years ago. Tours are organised by private companies and people from all over the world make the journey to see the icy continent.
The trend of increasing visitor numbers has led the Antarctic Treaty countries to establish guidelines and regulations to minimise the impact of these visitors on this remarkable environment.
