Wilderness or pure land: tourists’ perceptions of Antarctica

Abstract

In a survey of 222 cruise passengers to the Antarctic Peninsula in 2013, nearly 90% of respondents valued Antarctica as one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Passengers from Europe and the USA were more likely than those from China to value Antarctica as wilderness. While respondents shared a common perception of wilderness being a place in which human impacts are limited, regional differences were observed. Europeans perceived wilderness as remote, Chinese perceived it as desolate, and Americans valued the psycho-spiritual benefits of being in wilderness. Respondents’ wilderness perceptions were nourished by icons of wilderness, mostly from their home countries but also from international destinations. Nearly all respondents agreed that Antarctica should be protected as a wilderness reserve. When asked what human activities should be allowed to take place in an Antarctic wilderness reserve, they supported the protection of Antarctica with no resource extraction and controlled and limited tourism and scientific research. As wilderness or “pure land”, Antarctica, with its abundant wildlife, its wildness and its majestic landscapes, inspires awe and desires for its protection from its visitors, potentially playing a crucial role in providing the common experiences and meanings that can bring about a convergence of wilderness perceptions.