What are the specific dangers that tourism to Antarctica poses?
While the impact of rising tourism will not show specific impacts, the danger basically is connected to the number of visitors. Every year the number of visitors grows larger, which also has to do with the fact that it is now cheaper to travel to Antarctica. There are now more companies that offer cruises to Antarctica and some of these cruise ships can carry more than 500 passengers. Since there are very few places in Antarctica where you can actually walk, these cruises put lots of physical pressure and stress on these few points and all cruises go to these same sites. One of the most serious effects of eco-tourism is the “bio-invaders,” which are brought by the tourists. For example, every time your feet touch the ground on Antarctica, you must clean your boots carefully before you leave the ship and when you come back. If not, all of the microorganisms on your shoes from every other place that you have been could be transported to Antarctica. Larger bio invaders can include seeds,
