Extreme tourism niche tourism

involving travel to dangerous places participation in dangerous events

"adrenaline rush" caused by an element of risk

What is extreme tourism?

• What are extreme environments?

• Create a case study on Antarctica

• Explore what can be done to reduce the impacts on Antarctica

-40"C to -70'C in the coldest month -1 5'C to -35"C in the warmest month

The population varies from fewer than 1,000 in winter to over 50,000 in summer: 5,000 scientists from 27 of the countries party to the Antarctic Treaty, plus tourists

nearest landmass is South America, which is over 620 miles from the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula.

Surface area: 14 million square miles

organised through the legal framework of the Antarctic Treaty of 1959- 43 nations involved!

Why go there?• picturesque and wildlife rich areas of Antarctica• Courting season for penguins and seabirds - see

spectacular courtship rituals.• Seals visible on fast ice.• Spring wildflowers in the Falklands and South Georgia.• Elephant and fur seals establish their breeding

territories• Winter pack ice is starting to melt and break up. The

scenery is white, clean and pristine with pack ice and giant icebergs ADDITIONAL RESEARCH:

http://www.coolantarctica.com/Travel/antarctica_travel_home.htm

Who goes to Antarctica?This includes cruises!

(not the scientists working on the 50 research stations!)

Impacts?

Tourists often arrive on the island by cruise ship…

The nesting sites for penguins are near to tourist attractions

• Animals becoming stressed because of the crowds of peoplecausing them to abandon eggs or their young

• Cruise ships have struck icebergs causing oil spills which damagesthe environment and poisons the wildlife

• Tourists need services to be provided for them such as toilets,equipment hire shops etc.. which changes the use of the land fromthe natural environment to buildings.

Colour code these into Social, Enviro and Econ

Tourism managed?All tour operators that take tourists to Antarctica must be a member of IAATO which makes sure they stick to certain rules to protect the environment and the wildlife:• Tourist ships must get rid of their waste far away from the coastof Antarctica to reduce the risk of pollution• Visitors are not allowed to go to Sites of Special ScientificInterest (SSSI) to protect wildlife from being disturbed• A permit must be gained before a company can allow tourists totake part in any adventure activities to reduce damage to theenvironment from unsafe or damaging activities• No ships carrying more than 500 people are allowed nearAntarctica

What is extreme tourism?

• What are extreme environments?

• Create a case study on Antarctica

• Explore what can be done to reduce the impacts on Antarctica

This powerpoint was designed for a Year 11 class, studying GCSE Geography. They were looking at the topic Tourism.

J.Carr 2nd in department, St Bees School

All images from Google searches, website quotes are used for the information on the slides.