Influencer in eternal snow: Will Antarctic also become a large -scale destination for Tikkok?

Antarctic. The sole unexpected continent of the huge iceberg-earth in bright blue tone, penguin colonies and breathtaking fosers was considered a dream destination at the end of the world. A place for researchers and courageous people, unattainable for most. But in the world with social media and affected, the last boundaries of civilization are also falling. According to experts, tourism has recently exploded in South Pol Armese, such as due to platforms such as Tikok.

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Numbers speak for themselves: – In the mid -1990s, the number of visitors was still less than 8,000 – in the 2003/2004 season – 20,000 people already traveled to 14 million square kilometers “white continent” of. Nevertheless, the “Antarctic program” of the Australian government spoke of a adjacent tourist attack. It was before the winning march of social media worldwide. and today?

In the 2023/2024 season, an International Association of Tour Operators with a region of destination Antarctica recorded around 123,000 visitors. More than before. Is this already collective tourism?

Congress and swinger cruise of doctors

Professor Anne Hardy of the University of Tasmania says, “Of course, the number cannot be compared to Venice, Barcelona or Fee Fee Island.” “But what we experience in Antarctic is a growing diversification, which is far from top tourism.” Hardy has been doing research on tourism and society for 25 years and had three times in Antarctic.

Campaign ships with a maximum of 500 passengers create the largest proportion among the tourism offered in various land trips. However, there is also a fast growing market for ships without the end of the land, with 1000 people on the board, Hardy says.

Meanwhile, the revolutions in South Pole Armia are all offered for perceptive interests and inclination, the experts say. Soon “Antarctica pride cruise“Pal for LGBTQ+guests.” DJ ” – as well as” warm activities on board “, so to speak as a counterpoint for the Antarctic cold.

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Talk about DJ: In December 2023, the famous American DJ Dip Diplo did “Live from Antarctica“Performs and thus the first of his guild on all seven continents.”

Of course, the continent is still a very remote, hard and expensive place, but due to the increasing number of visitors, it loses some of its uniqueness. Says Hardy, “Gradually Antarctic becomes a ‘common’ travel destination, a place like many others,” Hardy says.

Clip clicked millions of times with eternal ice cream

How can this be possible? Hardy says, “A few years ago, hashtags like #ANTARCTURICURISM or #Drake Passage on the Internet suddenly went viral.” The latter means sea road known for its unexpected waves between South America and Antarctic Peninsula.

More inaccessible areas, more followers are guaranteed – learn the impressive. On Tikkock, their clip, on which they offer themselves with a glass of wine in the hand in front of the Iceburg, receive millions of clicks. Results: Enthusiasts still dream of Antarctic. “Of course, young people are on the road on Tikkok – no wonder the market is growing especially firmly for this age group,” Hardy says.

With some affected you do not feel that the unique atmosphere in the polar region does not matter and they are mainly concerned with ego and many likes. They also enjoy taking something wrong. “It has then been posted online – and in other times Ahms.” It has nothing to do with scientific campaigns. Research and tourism in the South Pole Army will be surprisingly co -existed for a long time.

Frescoes cause horror

The Antarctic and Southern Ocean alliance (ASOC) – is also concerned about a union of environmental protection organizations from all over the world. “Antarctic is considered one of the last major forest regions on Earth, but we see the risk that it will soon become a kind of adventure playground,” says Assoco-Consultant Ricardo Raura. Because the victorious march of social media is affecting more platforms to spread its Antarctic experiences. Therefore, regulating tourism in this region is more important than ever.

A dramatic wake -up call came out recently: on a historic building on the Jwalamukhi Island of the fraud island – one of the most attractive places in the region – A large graffiti discoveredIyato spoke of “ruthless barbarity” that one was “shocked and disgusting”. However, any visitors who traveled with one of the Iyato members were not responsible for this.

Effects of microplastics for noise

Otherwise, there are very few evidence of the actual negative effects of the boom, but on the other hand, continuous monitoring is also difficult, ASOC expert Raura says. There are many guidelines and measures in the industry – but it is suspicious if they were enough.

Microplastics and noise pollution are only two of the only two possible problems, they say. There are about 50 to 100 places where large amounts of tourists can be found – in some areas such damage caused by such repetition activities is inevitable.

Therefore it is suspected that hundreds of tourists daily are allowed to reach the penguin colonies every day, even if they have to follow a few meters between themselves and the animals and the number of visitors is limited. “Even these rules may have to be covered,” Raura insisted. Among other things, it can be done by nominating areas in which no tourism is allowed.

On the other hand, Iyato argues that a 2019 study has shown that the penguins have not increased the stress hormones – and therefore did not apparently feel disturbed by visitors. There are strict rules and guidelines that will be implemented by expert employees on the site.

Soon hotel in Antarctic?

Many of these rules are based on the Antarctic Treaty, which were implemented in 1961 and today there are more than 50 members states. The agreement provides only for peaceful use of Antarctica, especially for the ban on scientific research purposes and military activities.

Researcher Anne Hardy fears that some signators may soon be confident that this area is not really unique as it was once. Then the last limit of civilization can actually be built if hotels and other tourist structures were formed – which is still strictly restricted. It is only allowed to stay in tents overnight.

“Antarctic’s visit is a privilege. Anyone who travels to the region has the responsibility of doing it respectfully,” emphasizes Iyato. Anyone who decides to choose a tour operator who focuses on environmentally conscious morality. Its purpose is to leave the Antarctic for future generations as it is today. The next conference of the Antarctic Contracting states will soon show if it succeeds, which will be in Milan in June.

(MHO)