-By introducing a tax of 10 US$ per tourist, it would be possible to fund monitoring and control measures and training in raising environmental awareness

-Each tourist emits some 4.4 tons of CO₂ on a trip to the area and the environmental impacts also affect the behaviour of the flora and fauna, and lead to global warming

The growth of tourism in Antarctica (almost 50,000 visitors a year, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)) represents a threat to the ecosystems of the frozen continent. This is the claim made by the study “Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems”, which proposes that systems are put in place to monitor and control the impacts generated, as well as to ensure that the measures agreed upon in the Antarctic Treaty are met.

In this sense, the research coordinated by Martí Boada and Javier Benayas, researchers from the Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB) and the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) respectively, makes a case for the need to create a tourism tax to fund the implementation of specific measures. The study was presented today at a conference organised by the abertis foundation at CaixaForum Madrid, chaired by the Secretary of State for Climate Change, Teresa Ribera.

The report analyses the major impacts caused by commercial tourism in Antarctica, which in the present day mainly come from the environmental cost of travelling in terms of CO₂ emissions: “each visitor generates approximately 4.4 tons of carbon dioxide, which is an energy consumption equivalent to the average yearly electricity consumption of a European home with three inhabitants”.

Sea transport is the cause of 56% of the emissions, whilst air transport accounts for the remaining 44%.

Other impacts with a lesser effect, although with increasing relevance, are alterations in the behaviour of the flora and fauna and the soils in the area, invasive species and global warming. For example, the most notable levels of degradation have been noted on Aitcho Island. To these are added other potential risks, like shipping accidents, as suffered by the cruise ship MS Explorer in 2007.

Monitoring and control measures

With the aim of controlling and correcting impacts on the environment, the study’s researchers propose three concrete measures: training of guides, who are the people who can most contribute to raising awareness and represent the first line of defence against the generation of environmental impacts; inspection, with independent observers on board cruise ships to guarantee that the standards in place are met; and tourism patrol boats to inspect the operations of tourist cruises in the most sensitive and visited areas, as well as controlling illegal fishing and offering assistance in rescue operations.

A tax of 10 US$ per tourist -explains the report – would fund the first two measures, whilst 100 US$ would be needed to also implement the third.

In addition it would be essential that a prestigious international institution assumes powers in order to create a legal framework that is recognised by states.

The visitor profile

The study describes the Antarctic tourist as a person from “social sectors with high purchasing power and in general of advanced age. Most people in this group do not have a particular sensitivity or great motivation to enjoy the natural heritage of the frozen continent”. Their main motivation is, rather, “enjoying setting foot on the only continent that they had not been to before” and where the human presence has been very limited.

The vast majority of these visitors (74%) land in the area from small and medium-sized ships (vessels for between 50 and 500 passengers). The second most important tourist model (14%) is a large cruise ship (vessels of up to 3,000 passengers) without landings. Their Antarctic journey is usually part of a route with a wider itinerary. Flights without landings make up 9% of visits, whilst other tourism models barely reach 1%.

The Third International Polar Year

The research study “Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems”, promoted by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the abertis foundation, was carried out during the Third International Polar Year, between March 2007 and March 2009.

The conference “The effects of tourism in Antarctica” has served as a platform for the presentation of the study. As well as Javier Benayas, Dr. Peter Convey, professor of Cambridge’s Biological Sciences Division has also participated, with his thesis “Impact of human activities on Antarctica. Project Alien”.

In addition, doctors Andrés Barbosa (CSIC), Mariano Lastra (UVIgo), Ramón Farreny (UAB) and Susana Pedraza (UCM) have taken part in the round table discussion “Future lines of research into monitoring the human impact on Deception Island”, chaired by Manuel Catalán, technical secretary of the Spanish Polar Committee.

The abertis foundation

The abertis foundation promotes and publicises studies into the repercussions of building large infrastructures in the area, especially in the areas of demographics, the economy and the environment. The presentation of the research study “Assessment of the environmental impact of commercial tourism on Antarctic ecosystems” represents its main contribution to World Environment Day, to be held on Friday 5 June.

As part of the Social Corporate Responsibility of the abertis group, a leader in the management of infrastructures for mobility, the foundation is also working on a wide-ranging Road Safety Programme.