09/05/2026
Dr Katie Marx from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Tasmania delivered a very thought provoking presentation to Rotary Club of Kingston members on the impact of tourism on the Antarctic titled ‘What Have Humans Got To Do With It’.
Dr Marx an Antarctic Social Scientist has completed a PhD on Antarctic Public Engagement and also works as a historian and tour guide in the Antarctic.
With 120,000 tourists currently visiting the Antarctic annually, what impact is this currently having and what will the impact be in the future?
Dr Marx spoke about the importance of the Antarctic, what’s in place to protect the environment through the role of IAATO, the ATS guidelines and Biosecurity.
She then posed some questions about what we should be thinking about with the impacts of increased tourism, the role social media plays, decarbonisation and the potential diversification effects on the Antarctic.
Tourists receive on-board education and briefings about the Antarctic when on the cruise ships most of which depart from South America.
Other forms of tourism include: air-cruise, air only and deep field tourism all of which in one way or another may impact the Antarctic.
Some of the biggest threats from the booming Antarctic tourism industry include accelerating environmental contamination (pathogens and invasive species), high intensity carbon emissions, severe disruption to wildlife breeding and localised pollution.
Photo below: Dr Katie Marx receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Rotary Club of Kingston President Julie Creed.
