Polar tourism, a new favorite in China

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Polar tourism is becoming a new favorite of Chinese tourism industry, and the number of Chinese tourists to the polar regions has increased many folds in recent years, shows a China National Radio report.

Statistics on the IAATO (International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators) Website reveals that from 2016 to 2017, the number of Chinese tourists reached 5,145, up 50 times from 2008.

China is the second largest source of Polar tourists after the US.

A Penguin in the Antarctic /Chinadaily Photo ‍

Despite the high price, many people are opting to the polar destinations. Travel agencies are scrambling to seize the high-end market.

In order to meet customers’ different needs, the agencies offer a variety of polar tourism routes and products, that include direct flight to the South Pole, concerts in the region, cruise trips and even travel on chartered ships.

The prices vary. Zhang Lei, general manager of a famous polar tourism exploration department said that the overall rates of Antarctic tourism are higher than the Arctic.

A visitors' tour in the Antarctic /Chinadaily Photo

The prices the Antarctic Circle, within the Antarctic Circle, and the South Pole range from 60,000 yuan to 600,000 yuan (about 9,000 to 90,700 US dollars) per person. The prices from the Arctic Circle to the North Pole range from 30,000 yuan to 200,000 yuan (about 4,500 to 30,300 US dollars) per person.

The environmental requirements for the Antarctic are quite high, and all daily necessities are required to be transported by air. Thus, transportation and logistics cost are the main reasons of the high price.

A view of the Antarctic /Reuters Photo

According to the data of Xiecheng, one of the leading Chinese travel agencies, the applicants for the polar trip are mostly middle-aged people. “Since most of the routes needs 10-15 days, the costs are pretty high, middle-aged are more likely to have both the time and money to make the trip.”

The tourists need to undergo training course on dos and don'ts in the polar regions. They must follow the rules like the Antarctic Treaty.