(Centro de Estudios Hemisféricos y Polares, 2010) Lüdecke, Cornelia
This article provides an overview of current trends in Antarctic tourism, highlighting the procedures adopted to minimize
the risk of environmental degradation. Attention is paid to the variety of cruises that tourists can enjoy, the shifting national
demographics of the industry, and the limited nature of search-and-rescue operations. The Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on
Environmental Protection (1999) is discussed with emphasis on its applicability to Gentoo penguin colonies. The roles of
the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO) and International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC) are
also analyzed at length. Twenty photographs have been included of the various sites and activities mentioned in the text