It was a sunny afternoon during a recent Antarctic summer when the cruise ship Seabourn Pursuit struck a sea ice floe in Hanusse Bay. The ship plunged forward, the ice crumbling beneath its bow, until it sank several hundred feet into the icy waters.
The 250 passengers on the Pursuit stepped out onto their balconies and leaned over the deck to see what was happening in the coldest place on earth - Antarctica.
But there were no lifeboats rushing in like the Titanic. Instead, passengers walked down the gangplank and began disembarking for a walk on the ice. This was no accident. It was a planned experience, complete with a table of champagne glasses to toast their arrival in Antarctica.
The surge in tourism to Antarctica began before Covid-19. The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) has been tracking the number of tourists visiting the continent since the early 1990s. Back then, about 7,000 people visited each year, according to CNN.
The numbers have really exploded over the past half-decade. In the winter of 2017, just under 44,000 tourists visited Antarctica. This year, that number has surpassed 122,000. And they're coming in such numbers because traveling to the coldest continent on Earth has never been easier—or more luxurious.
A few decades ago, traveling to Antarctica meant visiting on smaller ships, many of them former “icebreakers” from Russia, Canada and other polar nations. It was anything but a luxury experience.
Robin West, Seabourn's vice president and general manager of expeditions, made his first trip to the area in 2002. Many of the boats back then were equipped with bunk beds and shared bathrooms, he said.
Very few trains have windows to look outside. The experience today is quite different.
Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, says that cruise lines Lindblad and National Geographic have opened up Antarctica to more travelers than they did about a decade ago.
“They were really pioneers in bringing the Antarctic experience to more traditional travelers. But those early trips were less luxurious than we see today,” says McDaniel.
Environmental concerns
The surge in tourism has led some experts to sound the alarm about the environmental impact of the surge in visitors.
A 2022 study published in the journal Nature found that Antarctic snow is melting faster due to the influx of tourists to the continent. Black soot emitted from cruise ship chimneys settles on the ice and attracts sunlight, causing tons of snow to melt prematurely. Ecologists also say the growing human presence in Antarctica is causing carbon dioxide levels to spike in a part of the planet that isn’t used to it.
Cruise ship operators say they are acutely aware of the environmental impact. Passengers receive detailed instructions not to bring any outside food or other contaminants when traveling in Antarctica. They are instructed never to lie down on snow and to keep their distance from animals to prevent human-caused bacteria and viruses from infecting wildlife.
Countries that conduct tourism and research in Antarctica have signed what is known as the Antarctic Treaty. Specifically, no one should build permanent structures in the region for the use of tourists. In other words, no hotels in Antarctica. IAATO has recently started tracking the fuel consumption of cruise ships in the Antarctic region, and some operators are now using electric propulsion where possible in an effort to cut down on soot and CO2 emissions.
More ways than ever to get to Antarctica
Meanwhile, cruise lines have invested billions of dollars in recent years in specially built luxury expedition ships.
Both Seabourn Pursuit and Venture feature luxury spas, nine restaurants, eight lounges and bars for the roughly 250 passengers on board. All 132 cabins feature large windows and balconies, making it easy to stand outside and watch the majestic icebergs drift by.
For an additional fee, passengers can book a seat on one of the submarines or explore the waters of Antarctica by kayak. And passengers need not worry about the frigid temperatures as they are provided with specially designed weatherproof gear to ensure they stay warm and dry while wandering among the penguins and seals.
Whether on one of the fancy new luxury ships or a more budget-friendly experience, a trip to Antarctica is a chance to see another world – from the majestic beauty of icebergs and glaciers to the playful wanderings of penguins – and it's never been easier to get there.
According to thanhnien.vn
Source: https://baohanam.com.vn/du-lich/vi-sao-noi-lanh-nhat-tren-trai-dat-tro-thanh-diem-nong-du-lich-the-gioi-139980.html
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