Antarctic tourism: The urgent need for a new comprehensive regulatory regime

Antarctica is the Earth's southernmost continent. The perceived wilderness nature of Antarctica, while increasingly drawing visitors interested in its outstanding natural values may, paradoxically, lead to the continent's destruction. The growth of tourism interest has focused academics, non-governmental organisations and Antarctic Treaty Parties' attention on the effectiveness and legitimacy of the current Antarctic Treaty System on the management of tourist visitation in Antarctica. This article will examine the effectiveness of the current legal framework regulating Antarctic tourist activities. To the extent that the existing legal framework may be ineffective, the article will also explore potential avenues of addressing these inefficiencies.