RESOLUTION ON SITE GUIDELINES FOR VISITORS
The Representatives,
Recognising the continuing trend in the increase of tourism activities in Antarctica;
Noting that certain specific sites provide the principal focus for visitors;
Noting further that such sites are, to varying degrees, visited frequently by tour operators thereby increasing the potential for visitor-related pressures at such sites;
Confirming that the term "visitors" does not include scientists conducting research within such sites, or individuals engaged in official governmental activities;
Desiring to ensure that the management of visitors within such sites is tailored to their environmental values and sensitivities, and should be achieved through non-mandatory means;
Recognising the need for tour operators and visitors to have practical guidance on how they should conduct their activities within such sites;
Believing that such guidance will enhance the provisions set out in Recommendation XVIII-1 (Guidance for those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in the Antarctic);
Believing further that the management of visitor sites must be able to respond readily to changing circumstances such as increased tourist pressure, or demonstrable environmental impact;
Recommend that:
1) a list of sites subject to "Site Guidelines", adopted by the ATCM, be attached to this Resolution as an Appendix;
2) the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat be requested to place the texts of such "Site Guidelines", as adopted by the ATCM, on the website of the Secretariat, as well as publishing, as appropriate, the Guidelines in a hard copy compendium and CD-ROM. Furthermore, the Secretariat is requested to ensure wide dissemination, especially among tour operators, of such Site Guidelines;
3) administrative procedures be introduced to ensure that the texts of Site Guidelines can be modified readily to reflect readily changing environmental circumstances;
4) any proposed amendment to existing Site Guidelines should be discussed by the CEP which should advise the ATCM accordingly. If such advice is endorsed by the ATCM then the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat would be mandated to make the necessary changes to the texts of Site Guidelines on the website and, as appropriate, in any other forms in which the Guidelines have been published;
5) the Governments urge all those intending to visit such sites that they are fully conversant with, and adhere to, the advice in the relevant Site Guidelines as published by the Secretariat.
The Representatives,
Recognising the continuing trend in the increase of tourism activities in Antarctica;
Noting that certain specific sites provide the principal focus for visitors;
Noting further that such sites are, to varying degrees, visited frequently by tour operators thereby increasing the potential for visitor-related pressures at such sites;
Confirming that the term "visitors" does not include scientists conducting research within such sites, or individuals engaged in official governmental activities;
Desiring to ensure that the management of visitors within such sites is tailored to their environmental values and sensitivities, and should be achieved through non-mandatory means;
Recognising the need for tour operators and visitors to have practical guidance on how they should conduct their activities within such sites;
Believing that such guidance will enhance the provisions set out in Recommendation XVIII-1 (Guidance for those Organising and Conducting Tourism and Non-Governmental Activities in the Antarctic);
Believing further that the management of visitor sites must be able to respond readily to changing circumstances such as increased tourist pressure, or demonstrable environmental impact;
Recommend that:
1) a list of sites subject to "Site Guidelines", adopted by the ATCM, be attached to this Resolution as an Appendix;
2) the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat be requested to place the texts of such "Site Guidelines", as adopted by the ATCM, on the website of the Secretariat, as well as publishing, as appropriate, the Guidelines in a hard copy compendium and CD-ROM. Furthermore, the Secretariat is requested to ensure wide dissemination, especially among tour operators, of such Site Guidelines;
3) administrative procedures be introduced to ensure that the texts of Site Guidelines can be modified readily to reflect readily changing environmental circumstances;
4) any proposed amendment to existing Site Guidelines should be discussed by the CEP which should advise the ATCM accordingly. If such advice is endorsed by the ATCM then the Antarctic Treaty Secretariat would be mandated to make the necessary changes to the texts of Site Guidelines on the website and, as appropriate, in any other forms in which the Guidelines have been published;
5) the Governments urge all those intending to visit such sites that they are fully conversant with, and adhere to, the advice in the relevant Site Guidelines as published by the Secretariat.
