#Internationalpolicy

Antarctica, long considered the world’s last great wilderness, is now seeing record numbers of tourists, prompting urgent calls by researchers and policymakers to safeguard the continent before it is “loved to death.” Nearly 125,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2023–24 season, according to the latest research published in The Conversation by environmental and policy experts. Projections warn that by the 2033–34 season, visitor numbers could nearly triple, threatening both the continent’s unique ecosystems and the very experience that draws adventurous travelers south.

The pristine silence of Antarctica—Earth’s last great wilderness where penguins outnumber humans and ice sheets hold secrets spanning millennia—faces an unprecedented threat as record-breaking tourist numbers transform the continent into an unlikely destination for adventure-seeking travelers, including growing numbers from Thailand. Nearly 125,000 visitors descended upon the frozen continent during the 2023-24 season, representing exponential growth from just 8,000 annual tourists three decades ago, with projections suggesting numbers could triple to over 350,000 by 2033-34. This remarkable surge threatens to love Antarctica to death through environmental damage that could destroy the very wilderness experience that draws travelers to the world’s most remote continent.

A new wave of tourists is steering toward Antarctica, turning the frozen continent into a demanding test bed for responsible travel. Recent data show nearly 125,000 visitors in the 2023-24 season, a sharp rise from about 8,000 three decades ago, with projections suggesting numbers could reach 350,000 by 2033-34. The surge raises urgent questions about safeguarding the pristine wilderness that draws visitors seeking awe-inspiring landscapes and up-close wildlife encounters.

The shift from research outposts to luxury adventure begins with easier access to expedition ships and rising global wealth. Antarctic cruises, once the preserve of scientists and seasoned explorers, now attract retirees, adventure tourists, and bucket-list travelers willing to pay substantial sums for once-in-a-lifetime journeys. Thai travel agencies are increasingly featuring Antarctic packages as high-end experiences, appealing to professionals and aspirants who want to demonstrate global sophistication.