Cruise tourism to Antarctica has continued to cool off during the 2010-11 season. Cruise tourism to Antarctica dropped 11.5 per cent to 32,438 visitors. Since the record boom in 2007-08, cruise tourism seen negative growth. Tour operators expect more trouble ahead for cruise trips next year. They expect the drop to be double comparing to this year. Travel Agencies are citing new regulations as the main reason for further slide in cruise tourism in future. The International Maritime Organization has banned the use of heavy fuel oil for the cruise ships in Antarctica. The ban will be in effect starting from August. IAATO has expressed fears of further drop in cruise passengers. The prediction for 2011-12 season is 24,811 visitors, a decline of 23.5 per cent from the previous season. IAATO has blamed the tough economic conditions around the world as the main reason for slide in cruise visitors to Antarctica. The organization admitted that heavy fuel ban would cause more damage to the cruise tourism to Antarctica in the years to come. Not everyone is sad about the decline of Antarctica tourism. Some green organizations have been demanding to curb the cruise ships as it threatens natural wilderness of Antarctica. Source: Easy Destination Blog.
