Small scale tourism began in the 1950s when commercial shipping began to take a few passengers.
The first its first voyage in 1969.
Some 9,000 tourists in 1992-3 have now grown to 37,000 in 2006-7 and to 46,000 from 2007-8.
This is thousands more than the scientific workers and their support staff who are there temporarily for research purposes.
Over 100 tourist companies are involved.
In 2006, 38.9% of visitors were American, 15.4% British, 10.3% German and 8.4% Australian.
Tourists from the northern hemisphere usually fly to New Zealand or Argentina, taking their cruise ships onwards for one-two weeks. Smaller boats take them ashore at key locations for short visits, mainly to the peninsula or nearby islands.
Impacts of Tourism
The environmental impact of an invidual tourist is much greater than that of a researcher.
Landing sites are chosen for a special feature, so they quickly become honeypots.
More than 99% of Antarctica is covered in ice, so little is left for tourist activity. (Few visitors go on the ice)
Walking, kayaking, skiing, climbing, scuba-diving and helicopter/small aircraft flights are some of the activities offered.
Tourists want to visit the most picturesque and wildlife-rich areas, so the impact is great in places.
Animals like penguins and seals are disturbed by more than a few people, they do not like to be touched, and may abandon eggs and young.
There have been accidents when ships have struck uncharted rocks or ice floes. The great majority of shipping in Antarctic waters is tourist based, and oil spills are becoming an increasing hazard for wildlife.
Tourist ships have to discharge all waste materials well away from the shore of Antarctica.
Coping with Tourism in Antarctica
All tour operators are members of the IAATO, which directs tourism to be safe and environmentally friendly.
Around 100 companies are involved.
The scale of tourism has to be controlled.
Visitors are not allowed to visit Sites of Special Scientific Interest in prder to conserve precious wildlife and landscapes, for example Bird Island on South Georgia.
A permit must be gained for any activities on the continent.
No ship carrying over 500 passengers can land. There is concern that larger ships will eventually be allowed to land, and the volume of tourists will become unsustainable.