Ecotourism Project Update

We have split up into three different groups in order to collect data (on-board education, boot-washing and vacuuming, and wildlife disturbance).  All students in the ecotourism group will be conducting about 2-3 interviews each.  In these interviews, we are asking the following questions:

1. Background Information

2. What inspired you to travel to Antarctica?

3. Prioritize the following four IAATO Tourist Guidelines based on what you believe is most important when traveling to and within Antarctica:

• On-board education programs;
• Bag cleaning/vacuuming;
• Boot washing;
• Minimizing wildlife disturbance by maintaining an appropriate distance
• 1=most important; 4=least important

4. Explain your reasoning or the prioritization that you chose.

5. Did you read the Antarctic Treaty prior to traveling to Antarctica?

6. Did you read the IAATO Tourist Guidelines prior to traveling to Antarctica?

7. In your opinion, what impact have you had on Antarctica?

8. What impact has Antarctica had on you?

9. Do you believe that climate change is a real issue? If yes, what do you believe is/are the leading cause(s) of climate change?

I chose to be on the on-board education group because I am interested to see how engaged passengers are in the educational programming and what emphasis is put on conservation in these lectures.  So far, the staff lecturers have only referenced human environmental impacts in quick comments such as, "I won't let someone cuddle a penguin" or "take only photos, leave only footsteps".  I am interested to see if they include more conservation programming on the later end of the trip when they feel less pressure to leave us with a positive picture before going on excursions.