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Antarctica visits continue to rise, though cruise-only numbers are down

(Photo: IAATO)
Exploring by Zodiac
Tourism to Antarctica continues its upward trend, with 44,367 travelers overall in the 2016/17 season, a 15% increase. Of those, 33,237 people traveled by ships that made landings, up from 27,607 the season before. And 3,203 passengers flew to the Antarctic Peninsula where they joined a ship, up from 2,353 season before.

However, 'cruise-only' tourism—on ships carrying more than 500 passengers that don't make landings—declined by 8%, to 7,475 passengers, down from 8,109 in the 2015/16 season.

The figures were tallied by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, whose members account for most leisure visits to the White Continent by sea, air and land.

Overall visitation levels, particularly by cruise, have been increasing steadily since the 2011/12 season. IAATO’s estimate for 2017/18 shows continued growth, with 46,385 visitors expected, a 5% increase. This would see visitation reaching the peak of 46,265 reported by IAATO in 2007/08.

Most (98%) travelers depart from South America to visit the Antarctic Peninsula. The majority of these Peninsula visitors traveled the traditional route from Chile or Argentina on vessels that carry fewer than 500 passengers and offer excursions ashore.

This sector grew by 20% compared to the previous season, mainly due to a pair of vessels entering the market, one with a carrying capacity of 390 and the other, just under 500 passengers.

Of the remainder, 3,203 (7%) flew to the Peninsula where they immediately joined a vessel for onward cruising. This ‘air-cruise’ sector of tourism continued to show the most growth at 36%, comparable to recent years, IAATO said.

Americans remained the most numerous visitors, with numbers up 7% and accounting for 33% of the total in 2016/17. The number of Chinese increased by 25% compared to the previous year, moving them up to second place behind the US, at 12% of the total. Australian, German and British visitors were the next most abundant nationalities, increasing by 5%, 45% and 19% respectively.