§ Jeremy CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visitors there were to Antarctica in each year since 1995; and what projections are available for future years. [157730]
§ Mr. RammellThe International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has published the following figures on tourist visitors to Antarctica:
Antarctic austral season Number of visitors (estimated actual figures) 1995–96 9,367 1996–97 7,413 1997–98 9,604 1998–99 10,013 1999–2000 13,826 2000 –01 12,248 2001–02 11,588 2002–03 13,571 These figures include ship and land-based passenger numbers. Commercial yacht activity is included from 1997–98, and 2002–03 figures include airborne passengers making landings.
IAATO estimates that visitor numbers will increase to 20,818 for 2003–04 and 21,216 for 2004–05. However, the biggest growth in the tourist industry over the next decade is expected to be large ships and over-flights, which do not land passengers in Antarctica.