Toward Antarctification? Tourism and place-making in Antarctica

Figures & data

Figure 1. Tourist numbers in Antarctica in the past 30 years and preliminary estimates.

Ddata source: 2022a.

Table 1. Key perspectives on Antarctification. 

	Narrative	Characteristics of place-making	Limitations
1	Exploration	Antarctica as a place dedicated to exploration	Paradox of exploration and expedition narrative with safe and comfortable travel
2	Wilderness and emptiness	Antarctica as a wild and empty place	Illusion of wilderness, where operators schedule visits to stay out of each other’s sight
3	Superlatives	Antarctica as an otherworldly place	Antarctic exceptionalism
4	Environmental stewardship and ambassadorship	Antarctica as a place dedicated to environmental care and education	Vulnerability of self-regulated stewardship; Paradox of ambassadorship in light of carbon contribution of Antarctic tourists

IAATO. (2022a). IAATO overview of Antarctic tourism: 2021–22 season and preliminary estimates for 2022–23 season. XLIV ATCM17/IP042.

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