IAATO: Responsible Antarctic Tourism

IAATO, founded in 1991, promotes safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic (IAATO).

Image: NASA/Jim Ross (ED04-0056-110, AirSAR 2004, public domain).

Last reviewed: October 20263 sources cited

Rules that let visitors see Antarctica without harming it.

In 2019 IAATO set up vessel slow-down areas covering more than 20,000 km² where whales are dense, to reduce the risk of ship strikes (IAATO).

Source: IAATO, Citizen Science

Explain Like I'm 10

Some people visit Antarctica on ships.
Visitors could disturb wildlife.
IAATO members follow rules, and visitors help scientists too.

The Five W's of IAATO

Who

IAATO, a member organisation of tour operators.

Source: IAATO, home page

What

Responsible-visit practices plus citizen science on member trips.

Source: IAATO, Citizen Science

When

Since 1991.

Source: IAATO, home page

Where

Antarctica.

Source: IAATO, home page

Why

Antarctica is one of the most perfectly preserved regions on the planet.

Source: IAATO, home page

How You Can Help

Join citizen science: Happywhale and GLOBE Clouds accept photos and observations from volunteers
Check a tour operator: if you visit, see whether the company is an IAATO member

No Donate button here: IAATO is an industry association and does not take donations. The ways to take part above are real options listed on the organization's own site.

Saving Planets features IAATO because its work helps the planet. This is a showcase, not a partnership: we are not partners with IAATO and receive nothing from it.