Tourism in Extreme Environments

Reasons people go on extreme holidays

• To do something adventurous e.g. Ice Climbing
• To enjoy a holiday with an element of Risk involved e.g. Rafting
• To see scenery that can’t be seen anywhere else e.g. Ice bergs
• To see wildlife that can’t be seen anywhere else e.g. Polar bears

Reasons for the increase in demand for extreme environments

• Improvements in travel have made it easier and quicker to get to them.
• People are keen to see these places while they can e.g. before the polar caps melt
• TV Travel Programmes are making adventure holidays more appealing.

Case Study: Antarctica

Impacts of Tourism

• Deforestation is caused by cutting down fuel for the tourists to get there
• Footpath/ice erosion is caused by large numbers of tourists exploring at once
• Litter and rubbish is being left on the ground
• People are getting too close to the wildlife and many are fleeing their habitats
• There is the threat of pollution, such as oil spills, from cruisers transporting people there
• Some tourists interfere with Scientists' research by unknowlingly bringing in seeds or spores from other areas

Strategies used to reduce the impacts of Tourism

• Only ships of 500 people or less can land in Antarctica and only 100 people are allowed on land at one time.
• Smoking is banned on Antarctica
• Wildlife is to be observed not to be approached
• On tours, people are told not to wonder off and disturb scientific studies.
• Visitors are advised to wear suitable Antarctic footwear to preserve the Ice.