More people are flying to Antarctica from South African and South American shores for excursions into the continent's icy interior.
The International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators released its 2016-2017 tourism figures yesterday. The total number of visitors to Antarctica with association members was 44367, an increase of 15% on the previous year.
Most travel to the continent is by sea. But there has been an increase in deep-field travel into the interior.
Deep-field tourism - when visitors fly to the Antarctic interior for excursions - increased by 10% on the previous year. This category accounts for only 1% of Antarctic tourism.
Association executive committee chairman Bob Simpson said: "With demand for Antarctic tourism staying robust, our members' experience in developing and delivering sustainable operations in the past 25 years will be of huge benefit in supporting the long-term conservation of Antarctica."
The association said there had been a steady increase in the cruise sector since 2011-2012. It estimated that in 2017-2018 the number of visitors to Antarctica would increase by 5% to 46385 visitors.
Most tourists are from the US, followed by Chinese, Australian, German and British visitors.
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