Antarctica Tourism

"We were revelling in the indescribable freshness of the Antarctic nature, which seemed to permeate us and which has to be the reason for longing to return to the polar regions, which affects each and every explorer who has returned home from there.' Shackleton
But should we be here? Antarctica is the most pristine portion of the Earth, hidden behind walls of stormy, ice-littered waters. Clad in its mantle of cold and darkness, the continent lived out millions of years of isolation. Through the powerful mix of natural forces the land became a challenge to man and the secrets of the great white continent were slowly revealed. Antarctica is no longer as remote as it was and now the challenge is different: how do we prevent the disruption/destruction/development that most of the world has suffered from harming the continent and how can we best manage it for the future. Around 20,000 tourists enjoy Antarctica annually: research brings in an additional 3000 people. Each and every one venturing to Antarctica is a visitor. Defenders of Antarctic tourism point out that in effect it 'democratizes' the continent and makes it accessible to people beyond the scientific and political elite.
Furthermore, Antarctica perhaps more than any other place, has a deep, even spiritual effect on a great many who have been fortunate enough to visit. I challenge anyone to walk in the footsteps of a King penguin and not be deeply moved by their innocence, curiosity and durability. The landscape with its mesmerizing beauty is surely one of nature's cathedrals. Visitors leave and with this experience they return home to increase the constituency of supporters for Antarctica's continued wilderness status. I believe that tourists, a body of enlightened ambassadors, are our best guarantee that this mighty wilderness will endure. But the sheer number of visitors is beginning to have negative effects. Species of non-native grass, presumably carried in on the clothing of visitors and/or scientists, have been found at several sites on the peninsula. Although tourists are largely confined to ships in the Antarctic, the nature of island hopping is such that we act as ideal vehicles for transporting pollen and spores from one place to the next, infecting the natural ecosystems and disturbing the natural balance. Few if any environmental groups advocate a ban on Antarctic tourism and have instead insisted on stringent operating measures. We are boot scrubbed before and after every landing and for South Georgia we also took the extra precaution of having our clothing and bags hoovered. In a few days time some members of our ship will spend a night camping on the peninsula. They cannot leave the ship till 9pm, they cannot eat, drink or toilet onshore and must be back onboard by 5am. Should tourism continue to be regulated in such a strict way then I am sure Antarctica and its beauty will endure.
But I am a biased visitor in admiration of all around me - what do you think?