Regulating Antarctic Tourism: The Challenge of Consensus-Based Decision Making
Kees Bastmeijer, Akiho Shibata, Imme Steinhage, Luis Valentín Ferrada Walker, Evan Bloom
Abstract
Abstract In the 2022–2023 season, more than 104,000 tourists visited Antarctica. This represents an increase of more than 40 percent compared to the 2019–2020 pre-pandemic season. This Current Development discusses this trend and the limits of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Parties, which govern on the basis of consensus, in responding with regulatory action. Options for strengthening regulation in this area are also considered.
Topics & Concepts
Antarctic treatyTourismCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)TreatyAction (physics)Political scienceEnvironmental planningBusinessGeographyLawMedicinePathologyDiseasePhysicsInfectious disease (medical specialty)Quantum mechanicsPolar Research and EcologyArctic and Russian Policy StudiesInternational Maritime Law Issues