Adaptive Management of Sustainable Tourism in Antarctica: A Rhetoric or Working Progress?

Daniela Cajiao, Javier Benayas, Pablo Tejedo and Yu-Fai Leung
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Daniela Cajiao: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
Javier Benayas: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
Pablo Tejedo: Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, C/Darwin 2, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
Yu-Fai Leung: Department of Parks Recreation & Tourism Management and Center for Geospatial Analytics, North Carolina State University, 5107 Jordan Hall, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-21

Abstract: Growth and diversification of tourism activities in Antarctica have not been matched by proactive strategies for planning or management. Recognizing that the adaptive management approach has been effectively implemented in managing tourism in protected areas, we examine to what extent this approach has been incorporated into the Antarctic tourism research and management, and what constraints exist for its implementation. To better understand the extent of literature contributions, we conducted an appraisal of 72 peer-reviewed journal articles published from 1992 to 2020 and Antarctic management documents. From a scientific perspective, researchers have been advocating for adaptive management approaches to Antarctic tourism and have applied different elements, particularly ecological assessments, design of management measures, monitoring, and regulatory mechanisms. However, these contributions have not been necessarily translated into management policy and regulations. We acknowledge that full implementation of an adaptive management approach is not easily achievable due to the unique Antarctic regime. However, we argue that comprehensive site-specific and regional adaptive management models could be applied as the first step for a more systematic implementation. This incremental approach could contribute to enhanced stakeholder participation and improved decision-making processes, ultimately leading to a more proactive and effective management of Antarctic tourism, essential for the conservation of the continent.

Keywords: Antarctic treaty system; comprehensive process; environmental impact; protected areas; monitoring; polar regions; strategic planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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