Antarctic tourism: Should we just say no?

Antarctic tourism: Should we just say no? The International Association of Antarctic Tourism Operators now lists 95 vessels in its directory, including 21 yachts, which carry wealthy tourists drawn by the lure of a "last frontier" destination, a place – as one operator put it – "so pristine and remote you can hear snowflakes hitting the water". Erik Moen/Norse Atlantic Airways In November 2023, a Norwegian airline landed the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner on Antarctica "The industry is expanding and there is a big diversification of activities including kayaking, submersibles and helicopters," said Elizabeth Leane, professor of Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania. "We were not surprised by the findings – it was what we anticipated," said Antarctic ecologist Dana Bergstrom, now a visiting professor at the University of Wollongong, who helped conduct the study. "It will probably reach Antarctica sometime this season, which would be awful," said Leane, noting that the virus is more likely to reach Antarctica via birds rather than tourists.