Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T11:45:09.689Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Diversification of Antarctic tourism: the case of a scuba diving expedition

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2011

Machiel Lamers  and
Hans Gelter
Machiel Lamers
Affiliation:
Environmental Policy Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University and Research Centre (WUR), Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands (machiel.lamers@wur.nl)
Hans Gelter
Affiliation:
Department of Culture, Communication and Learning, Luleå University of Technology, Postbox 744, SE-941 28 Piteå, Sweden
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Tourism in Antarctica has grown substantially over recent decades and has diversified into different activities and modes of transport. This paper presents a first attempt to explore the implications of this diversification trend for Antarctic tourist experiences, wildlife and onsite management. Evidence from a passenger survey, participatory observations and expert interviews using video elicitation has been collected during, and in the context of, a diving expedition cruise. The data suggests that significant differences can be detected in the way divers and non-divers experience aspects of the trip, most notably regarding guides. The results also indicate that diverse activities generate a broader variance in attitudes and behaviours, which may have repercussions for wildlife, site use and onsite management. Given the diversification trend it is timely and necessary to revisit and consistently enforce site guidelines and visitor guidelines with an eye on multi-activity trips. In addition, further studies on the implications of this trend are needed by means of case studies, surveys looking at a wider range of tourist trips, and monitoring programmes assessing wildlife behaviour and impacts.

Type
Research Article
Information
Polar Record , Volume 48 , Issue 3: THEMED SECTION: CONTESTED BORDERS AND IDENTITIES , July 2012 , pp. 280 - 290
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

ASOC (Antarctic and Southern Ocean Commission). 2008. IP41 A decade of Antarctic tourism: status, change, and actions needed. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XXXI. Kyiv: Ukraine.Google Scholar
Bastmeijer, C. 2003. Tourism in Antarctica: increasing diversity and the legal criteria for authorisation. New Zealand Journal of Environmental Law 86: 85–118.Google Scholar
Bastmeijer, C., Lamers, M., and Harcha, J.. 2008. Permanent land-based facilities for tourism in Antarctica: the need for regulation. Review of European Community and International Environmental Law (RECIEL) 17 (1): 84–99.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bastmeijer, C., and Roura, R.. 2004. Regulating Antarctic tourism and the precautionary principle. The American Journal of International Law 98 (4): 763–781.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bauer, T. 2001. Tourism in the Antarctic: opportunities, constraints, and future prospects. New York: The Haworth Hospitality Press.Google Scholar
Borg, G. 2004. The Borg CR10 scale® folder. A method for measuring intensity of experience. Hasselby: Borg Perception.Google Scholar
Bramwell, B. (editor). 2004. Coastal mass tourism: diversification and sustainable development in southern Europe. Clevedon: Channel View Publications.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Buescher, M., and Urry, J.. 2009. Mobile methods and the empirical. European Journal of Social Theory 12 (1): 99–116.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davis, P. 1995. Antarctic visitor behaviour: are guidelines enough? Polar Record 31 (178): 327–334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Davis, P. 1999. Beyond guidelines. A model for Antarctic tourism. Annals of Tourism Research 26 (3): 516–533.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Enzenbacher, D. 1993. Tourists in Antarctica: numbers and trends. Tourism Management 14 (2): 142–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fennell, D.A., and Malloy, D.C.. 2007. Codes of ethics in tourism, practice, theory, synthesis. Toronto: Channel View Publications Aspects of Tourism 33).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haase, D., Lamers, M., and Amelung, B.. 2009. Heading into uncharted territory? Exploring the institutional robustness of self-regulation in the Antarctic tourism sector. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 17 (4): 411–430.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harper, D. 2002. Talking about pictures: a case for photo elicitation. Visual Studies 17 (1): 13–16.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harper, D. 2005. What's new visually? In: Denzin, N.K., and Lincoln, Y.S. (editors). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, Inc: 747–762 (3rd edition).Google Scholar
Hemmings, A. 2000. Icewatch. Living Planet. Autumn issue.Google Scholar
Hemmings, A., and Roura, R.. 2003. A square peg in a round hole: fitting impact assessment under the Antarctic Environmental Protocol to Antarctic tourism. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 21 (1): 13–24.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Honey, M. 2002. Ecotourism and certification: setting standards in practice. Washington: Island Press.Google Scholar
Hummel, J. 1994. Kiezen voor bepaalde categorieën ecotoeristen [Choosing for certain categories of eco-tourists]. Circumpolar Journal 9 (3–4): 17–21.Google Scholar
Hunter, C. 1997. Sustainable tourism as an adaptive paradigm. Annals of Tourism Research 24 (4): 850–867.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tourism Operators). 2008. IP85 IAATO Overview of Antarctic tourism 2007–2008: Antarctic season and preliminary estimates for 2008–2009 Antarctic season. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting XXXI. Kyiv: Ukraine.Google Scholar
Lamers, M., and Amelung, B.. 2008. Business as (un)usual? Global scenarios and Antarctic tourism. In: Saarinen, J., and Tervo, K. (editors). Tourism and global change in polar regions. Oulu, Finland. Oulu University Press(Proceedings of an international conference, 29 November – 2 December 2007): 67–76.Google Scholar
Lamers, M., Haase, D., and Amelung, B.. 2008. Facing the elements: analysing trends in Antarctic tourism. Tourism Review 63 (1): 15–27.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lamers, M., Stel, J., and Amelung, B.. 2007. Antarctic adventure tourism and private expeditions. In: Snyder, J., and Stonehouse, B. (editors). Prospects for polar tourism. Wallingford: CABI: 170–187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Liggett, D., McIntosh, A., Thompson, A., Gilbert, N., Storey, B.. 2011. From frozen continent to tourism hotspot? Five decades of Antarctic tourism development and management, and a glimpse into the future. Tourism Management 32: 357–366.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Maher, P. 2005. The nature of the sea: a framework for exploring visitor experiences in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica. In: Kylänen, M. (editor). Articles on experiences 2. Rovaniemi: Lapland Centre of Expertise for the Experience Industry: 54–79.Google Scholar
Maher, P. 2010. Footsteps on the ice: visitor experiences in the Ross Sea region, Antarctica. Unpublished PhD dissertation. Christchurch: Lincoln University.Google Scholar
Maher, P., Johnston, M., Dawson, J., and Noakes, J.. 2010. Risk and a changing environment for Antarctic tourism. Current Issues in Tourism: 1–13.Google Scholar
Maher, P., McIntosh, A., and Steel, G.. 2006. Examining dimensions of anticipation: inputs prior to visiting the Ross Sea region, Antarctica. Tourism in Marine Environments 2 (2): 51–63.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Molenaar, E.J. 2005. Sea-borne tourism in Antarctica: avenues for further Inter-governmental regulation. International Journal for Marine and Coastal Law 20 (2): 247–295.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muir, S.F., Barnes, D., and Reid, K.. 2006. Interactions between humans and leopard seals. Antarctic Science 18 (1): 61–74.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, L. 2009. Looking at and looking back: visualization in mobile research. Qualitative Research 9 (4): 469–488.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Murray, C., and Jabour, J.. 2004. Independent expeditions and Antarctic tourism policy. Polar Record 40 (215): 309–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Page, S. 2003. Tourism management: managing for change. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.Google Scholar
Powell, R.B., Kellert, S.R., and Ham, S.H.. 2008. Antarctic tourists: ambassadors or consumers? Polar Record 44 (230): 233–241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Roura, R. 2009. The Polar cultural heritage as a tourism attraction: a case study of the airship mooring mast at Ny-Alesund, Svalbard. Teoros 28 (1): 29–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sharpley, R. 2002. Rural tourism and the challenge of diversification: the case of Cyprus. Tourism Management 23 (3): 233–244.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sheller, M., and Urry, J.. 2006. The new mobilities paradigm. Environment and Planning A 38: 207–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Snyder, J. 2007. Tourism in the Polar regions: the sustainability challenge. Paris: United Nations Environment Program.Google Scholar
Splettstoesser, J. 2000. IAATO's stewardship of the Antarctic environment: a history of tour operator's concern for a vulnerable part of the world. International Journal of Tourism Research 2: 47–55.3.0.CO;2-7>CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stamboulis, Y., and Skayanis, P.. 2003. Innovation strategies and technology for experience-based tourism. Tourism Management 24 (1): 35–43.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stewart, E.J., Draper, D., and Johnston, M.. 2005. A review of tourism research in the Polar regions. Arctic 58 (4): 383–394.Google Scholar
Stonehouse, B., and Crosbie, K.. 1995. Tourist impacts and management in the Antarctic Peninsula area. In: Hall, C. M., and Johnston, M. (editors). Polar tourism. New York: John Wiley.Google Scholar
Trotter, L.E. 2008. Below freezing: the Antarctic dive guide. 2nd Edition. Old Basing: WildGuides Ltd.Google Scholar
WTO (World Tourism Organisation). 2001. Tourism 2020 vision: global forecasts and profiles of market segments. Vol. 7. Madrid: World Tourism Organisation.Google Scholar