Is COVID-19 helping or hindering effective management of Antarctic tourism?

• Main Authors: Hanne Nielsen, Daniela Cajiao, Gabriela Roldan, Andrea Herbert, Leung Yu-Fai, Valentina Dinica
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: unknown
• Published: 2022
• Subjects: Uncategorised value; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Antarctica
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.25455/wgtn.19624386; https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Is_COVID-19_helping_or_hindering_e_ective_management_of_Antarctic_tourism_/19624386

Antarctica is the most isolated continent on Earth, and ship-based tourism is the main access route for people to visit the place. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Antarctic tourism, disrupting both travel to the continent and the management of human activity in Antarctica. Here we present a short overview of (1) the Antarctic tourism status quo during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) a SWOT analysis of the future challenges and opportunities COVID-19 poses for those operating in such a remote wilderness area. We suggest that the pause in Antarctic tourism caused by the pandemic offers a unique opportunity to consider a more adaptive model of Antarctic tourism management rather than return to business as usual.