Part I
Compare and contrast the maritime environmental, economic and security situations in
the Arctic and Antarctic regions:
• What do you believe are the two main environmental challenges in each region? Why
do you believe these are the main environmental challenges?
• What do you believe are the two main economic challenges/opportunities in each
region? Why do you believe these are the main economic challenges/opportunities?
• What do you believe are the two main security challenges in each region? Why do
you believe these are the main security challenges?
• Select ONE Antarctic challenge/opportunity (environmental, economic, or security)
and explain the US policy for that challenge. Do you believe the US policy is
sufficient? Defend your answer.
Please organize your answer as follows:
Environmental Challenges
Arctic
Antarctica
Economic Challenges/Opportunities
Arctic
Antarctica
Security Challenges/Opportunities
Arctic
Antarctica
US Policy/Sufficent?
References and properly formatted citations are required.
Part II
You are the CEO of Icewalker Travels – a cruise ship company specializing in small
(maximum 100 passengers), elite, educational cruises in the polar regions. While you
have a lot of experience in the Arctic, you plan to expand your tourism opportunities to
Antarctica and are interested in joining the IAATO as an Operator. As part of your
application, the IAATO asks you to present your “best practices”/“code of conduct” for
Antarctic tourism.
Present ten best practices for Antarctic tourism:
• Your practices must deal with both responsible cruise ship operations and onshore
visits for your passengers;
• Your best practices must deal exclusively with Antarctica and address both
environmental impact and safety;
• Each practice must be clearly labeled and numbered, and have its own descriptive
paragraph explaining why it is a “best practice”;
• While you may reference other best practices already in existence, at least three of
your practices must be entirely your own, and must be labeled as such. If you discuss
the exam with your classmates (this is allowed), make sure you do not have the same
original three best practices.
How would you address the criticisms about tourism in Antarctica? (“last chance
tourism,” the debate on whether tourists should be banned in Antarctica, etc.). As a tour
operator, explain how you justify tourism in Antarctica.
Sample Solution
