Tourism

How much tourism can Antarctica sustain?

Tourism in Antarctica has been growing steadily for years, and with it the debate over its impact on one of the Earth’s most sensitive natural landscapes.

From Mexico City to the Arctic: Chasing a Polar Ice Swimming Dream

Dreams often begin in the most unexpected places. Arleen González Pérez's dream started in Mexico City - a place where icy water simply does not exist. Yet that never stopped her from pursuing her passion for ice swimming.

Arctic Row 2026: Swiss Expedition Plans Historic Row Across the Arctic

Four Swiss adventurers will begin the Arctic Row 2026 expedition at midnight between 3 and 4 July 2026, departing from Svalbard. Their goal is to complete a historic human-powered row of more than 3,000 kilometres to the edge of the Arctic sea ice and then continue all the way to mainland Scotland.

Qaqortoq Airport has opened

With the official opening of the new airport in Qaqortoq on April 16, 2026, South Greenland entered a new phase of economic and tourism development.

Tourism: Murmansk Reconnects with Svalbard

After an interruption of almost three decades, direct passenger voyages between the Russian port city of Murmansk and the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard have resumed.

Rain, Slush and Record Temperatures Mark April on Svalbard

Exceptionally warm temperatures and heavy rain disrupted research, tourism and winter activities across Svalbard during one of the Arctic archipelago’s warmest Aprils on record.

Young Ice Swimmer Conquers Polar Waters in Svalbard

A remarkable achievement unfolded in the Arctic waters of Svalbard this week as 15-year-old British ice swimmer Frankie Jackson completed a 1-kilometer polar swim at Bore Glacier, Svalbard, in temperatures well below freezing.

Hantavirus Alert After Flight: 82 Fellow Passengers Being Sought

Following several deaths aboard the expedition ship MV Hondius, the World Health Organization has issued an urgent appeal.

Three Dead After Virus Outbreak on Cruise Ship

A deadly outbreak of an acute respiratory illness has occurred aboard the expedition cruise ship “MV Hondius” off the coast of Cape Verde.

Svalbard introduces mandatory certification for Arctic guides

From 2027, guides outside Svalbard’s settlements must hold official approval under a new certification system.

Young skier attempts Svalbard crossing at just ten

A ten-year-old skier is attempting to cross Svalbard, prioritizing shared experience and time in the Arctic over speed or records.

The Sourtoe Cocktail: Dawson City’s Most Bizarre Drink 

In Dawson City, Yukon, adventurous drinkers can join the Sourtoe Cocktail Club by downing a shot containing a real dehydrated human toe.

Welcome to ICE ALASKA

The winter silence in George Horner Ice Park in Fairbanks has come to an end.

Ethan Guo and the illegal landing in Antarctica

The unauthorized landing of 19-year-old pilot Ethan Guo on King George Island has sparked criticism and legal consequences in Antarctica.

Strongest solar storm in over 20 years hits Earth

Northern Lights over Zurich – for Mike Jakob, it was a magical moment to witness the usually Arctic phenomenon in his own sky.

Postage Stamps Marking 100 Years of Marine Science

With a special stamp issue, the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is honoring a key chapter in international marine research.

Agreement on Air Traffic Control Signed in Nuuk

Greenland Airports and the Danish state-owned air navigation service provider Naviair have officially signed their agreement on the future provision of air traffic control at Nuuk Airport.

Hope in the Ice – Rare Adoption of a Polar Bear Cub near Churchill Surprises Researchers

Near the small town of Churchill in northeastern Manitoba, a mother polar bear was spotted with two cubs – but only one of them was her own.

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole.

“Arctic Watch” Ceases Tourist Operations

Nunavut / Canada – Arctic Watch, one of the northernmost tourism operations in the world, is permanently discontinuing all tourist activities after 25 years.

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive

This locomotive tells a story of hard labor, technical challenges, and the human determination to extract resources even under the most extreme conditions.

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard

Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent.

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard

Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen.

The Polar Retrospective - Subantarctic Visitor Changes, a 66-Year-Old Mystery Solved, and a Warning for Reindeer

Launch of New South Georgia Entry Permit System Halted

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands had planned to implement a new ETA system for visitors but had to delay these plans now.

More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death

Professors Darla Hatton MacDonald and Elizabeth Leane explain how new market based tools can help to prevent overtourism in Antarctica in this article provided by The Conversation.

"Is there a lack of awareness of the risks associated with outdoor activity?"

The absence of an insurance offer adapted to polar operators linked to France is felt by professionals in the sector who responded to a survey by the Chaire Enjeux Polaires.

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections

In an article for Polar Journal AG, Marie-Noëlle Rimaud advocates "finding a way out from the top, through intelligence". The lecturer and researcher in tourism economics and management calls for the development of a win-win strategy between foreign investors in the tourism sector and the island's inhabitants, who see the importance of this sector for the future of their economy.

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?

An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region.

Managing the route, from Australia to Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail

Hiking in the magnificent Greenlandic backcountry as your job? For many, this may seem like the ultimate fantasy, but for Lisa Germany it is a professional reality. Interview.

Marie-Noëlle Rimaud, islander, polar explorer and pioneer

Polar tourism in Greenland is not a subject frequently addressed in French economic and social sciences. Yet Marie-Noëlle Rimaud is now able to capture what was once just over the horizon, and observe it through her own unique lens.

"In the Arctic, there are no small accidents"

The challenges of maritime safety in polar zones were discussed with sailors, instructors and researchers in Brest during Sea Tech Week. The workshop was organized by Anne Choquet, a lawyer specializing in polar areas, and Roberto Rivas Hermann, a researcher at the Center for Northern Logistics, who came to Brest from Bodo, Norway, for a residency.

Podcast Radio Arctic - Tourism Trajectories

The Arctic has become an increasingly popular travel destination in recent years. In the new podcast, Radio Arctic discusses the future of tourism in the Arctic with various experts.

In Antarctica, this Slovenian mountaineer finally found a job that will keep him coming back

Aleš Česen is a celebrated mountaineer but stresses that no special training is required to work in Antarctica.

The Polar Retrospective - Antarctic awakening

When regulation is lacking and demand growing, whales should not pay the bill

The attraction and curiosity about whales can be mutual if all the conditions are met. But when economic attraction and a lack of regulation combine, the whale-watching industry can turn into a hunt that is disrespectful of the sensibilities of these marine mammals.

Small passenger vessel sinks in South Greenland – concern about oil pollution

The passenger ship Adolf Jensen ran aground and sank off Nanortalik in southern Greenland last week. All passengers and crew members managed to evacuate, but there are concerns about a possible leak of engine oil and diesel.

The Polar Retrospective - Alaska, arctic region of contrasts

In the opinion of the editor-in-chief, the largest and northernmost state of the USA is fascinating in its diversity, but it also shows some contrasts in the relationship between the US and the Arctic.

Christiane Drieux - The northernmost friendship in the world

An encounter in north-west Greenland throws into question the plans of a sportswoman and traveller who embarks on a profound relationship with the Inughuit people.

Expedition cruise ship organization visited Ilulissat to ease increasing tensions

Arctic cruise ship operators have faced headwinds in Greenland this summer, but AECO, an organization representing their interests, hopes that a three-day visit last week will be the start of a needed dialogue.

How a professional bicycle race is showcasing Norway’s Arctic landscapes

The four-stage-long Arctic Race of Norway finished with an uphill sprint in Bodø yesterday.

Cross-country skiing in Antarctica with Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), a leading expedition provider, has announced that it will be organizing cross-country skiing races at Union Glacier for the first time in the upcoming Antarctic season.

Courtesy exercises on the edge of the Arctic pack ice

The French, Danish and Icelandic navies performed search and rescue maneuvers at sea with the most powerful icebreaker in the NATO zone, a tourist liner flying the flag of the French islands of Wallis and Futuna.

Towards a regulation of Antarctic tourism

The growth of tourism in Antarctica is not without concern for the Treaty's Consultative Parties. In a press release issued at the end of the Kochi meetings, its Secretariat announced its intention to provide a better framework for this activity. But views still differ widely.

The Polar Retrospective - Arctic tourism like hiking in the polar night

Tourism in Arctic regions is increasingly at the center of a debate between politics, science and industry, and searching for solutions seems like a hike in the polar night.

Nuuk Airport postpones terminal opening

It is not unusual for complex buildings such as airports to occasionally experience delays. However, it is special if the commissioning is canceled just on the evening before.

New Svalbard report: Stronger national control by Norway and fewer ships

In the recently published new white paper on Svalbard, the Norwegian government announces, among other things, its intention to strengthen national control in many areas of society.

Antarctica - Overcapacity leaves its first traces

The "Hanseatic Spirit" of the German shipping company Hapag Lloyd Cruises was actually supposed to sail to Antarctica several times this coming winter. This will now come to nothing.