1. International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO)

2. Antarctica is unique: Geographically Landscape Natural History
Politically
Geographically – talk about Antarctica is continent surrounded by water. Strong winds circulate around the continent, driving ocean currents, isolating the Antarctic from the warming effects of the oceans to the north.
Landscape - Antarctica is the highest, driest, coldest, windiest place on Earth and the permanently cold temperatures have allowed snow and ice to accumulate and create dramatic sceneries of snow and ice.
Natural History - Despite these cold temperatures birds, mammals and other life forms, unique to Antarctica have this place their home. Why? Primarily because the oceans are rich with food.
But… unique also from a political perspective - Despite its size (bigger than the USA and Mexico) there is no native human population. And, there is no single sovereign power that governs the continent.

3. Antarctic Treaty
Since 1959, Antarctica has been governed internationally by the provisions of the Antarctic Treaty and its subsequent agreements.
Under this Treaty, Antarctica has been declared a natural reserve, dedicated to peace and science.

4. Antarctic Treaty -- Strengths & Weaknesses
It exists…
Consensus
Implementation
Non-Treaty Parties
Strength is that AT exists… but: a) works on basis of consensus with some 29 Treaty Parties having to all agree unanimously on any decisions… b) agreements then have to be implemented into each parties national legislation which is slow going and can result in various 'interpretations' and c) there are non-Treaty parties whose nationals do not need to comply with the same restrictions. So slow going, and cannot cope with day to day management

5. International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators
IAATO was founded in 1991, to advocate, promote and practice safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic.
Because there was a clear need for a more practical day to day form of management and standard setting procedures, in 1991 seven Antarctic Tour Operators came together to form IAATO.

6. Currently IAATO consists of over 110 Members, Associates & Affiliates – Majority are ship or yacht based operations (perhaps explain diversity in operations - yachts, cat 1, cat 2, cruise only) (next slide is land/airbased)

7. Air- and Land-based Operations
IAATO also has air- and land-based operators

8. Overview Day-to-Day Management & Coordination Program Development
Seasonal Operations
Waste Management
Program Development
Environmental Issues
Operating procedures
External Liaisons
Regulators & Governments
Education and Outreach
IAATO activities fall into 3 broad categories (each are considered in turn in following slides)

9. Day-to-Day Operations
Agreed mutual support
Pre-season coordination
Vessel database
Vessel tracking through season
Daily communications
MRCC Collaboration
Post visit reporting

10. Program Development: Environmental Issues
Here you can talk about the mandatory briefing, site guidelines, wildlife watching guidelines, the bio-security efforts, staff training, the new yacht outreach effort

11. Program Development: Operating Procedures
Waste Management
Enhanced Observer Scheme
Field Staff Training
Online Assessment

12. Governmental & ATCM Liaisons
Reporting on Activity levels
Development of management practices
IAATO provides extensive reporting on member activities (more comprehensive than any other reporting of activity in Antarctica). IAATO is also involved in development of regulations and management practices

13. Research & Educational Outreach
Research collaboration and data processing
Academic publications
Education Outreach
Additionally support related research work and educational outreach through provision of data and in kind support.

14. Facebook: Antarctic Ambassadors Twitter: @ANT_Ambassadors Instagram: #Antarctic_Ambassadors

15. Antarctic
Tourism Numbers
Numbers if needed…

16.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Any questions?