Tarantellen on Svalbard – Photo: Marcel SchützA medical emergency, a spontaneous change of plans, and a striking rock formation in one of the most remote corners of the Arctic: Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent
Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen. The Global Seed Vault on Svalbard. It is opened about three times a year t
The Polar Retrospective looks at recent stories from around the world’s polar regions. This week we take a look at new regulations on subantarctic islands for visitors, the solution to a 66-year old Antarctic mystery, and a grim outlook for reindeer populations due to the changing climate.The changi
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands had planned to implement a new ETA system for visitors but had to delay these plans now. The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has announced a last-minute postponement of its new Electronic Entry Permit sy
Professors Darla Hatton MacDonald and Elizabeth Leane explain how new market based tools can help to prevent overtourism in Antarctica in this article provided by The Conversation. Space for tourists and wildlife is limited even te seemingly vast wilderness of Antarctica. (Image: Michael Wenger)Darl
The absence of an insurance offer adapted to polar operators linked to France is felt by professionals in the sector who responded to a survey by the Chaire Enjeux Polaires.Customers and polar guides take turns looking after the itinerant camps on Arctic excursions. Image: Julia HagerAvalanches, bea
In an article for Polar Journal AG, Marie-Noëlle Rimaud advocates “finding a way out from the top, through intelligence”. The lecturer and researcher in tourism economics and management calls for the development of a win-win strategy between foreign investors in the tourism sector and the island’s i
An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region. The expedition vessel of a well-known cruise line was fully chartered by a travel agency to host an “adult-themed” voyage, marketed as the “7th Continent A
When a passion for hiking, writing, and photography leads to managing Greenland’s most famous trail. Lisa Germany’s job allows her to combine some of her greatest interests. Photo: Lisa GermanyHiking in the magnificent Greenlandic backcountry as your job? For many, this may seem like the ultimate fa
Her passion for sailing opened up opportunities in Greenland. Illustration: Gisèle Durand RuizPolar tourism in Greenland is not a subject frequently addressed in French economic and social sciences. Yet Marie-Noëlle Rimaud is now able to capture what was once just over the horizon, and observe it th
Safety is an issue for shipping in the Arctic, where emergency infrastructures are rare. Over the last ten years, the distance covered by the Polar Code has doubled, and the number of ships has increased. Image: Air Force / Joint Arctic CommandThe challenges of maritime safety in polar zones were d
The Arctic has become an increasingly popular travel destination in recent years. In the new podcast, Radio Arctic discusses the future of tourism in the Arctic with various experts. The Arctic is no longer just a destination for daring explorers and adventurers but has transformed into an increasin
This year, Aleš Česen will return for his sixth season in Antarctica and the otherworldly continent continues to fascinate him. Photo: Courtesy of Aleš ČesenAleš Česen is a celebrated mountaineer but stresses that no special training is required to work in Antarctica. All you need is reliability and
The Antarctic season start at Port Lockoy will kick off soon. (Photo: Michael Wenger)The Polar Retrospective looks at stories of the past week that are related to the Arctic and Antarctic and focuses on one or more aspects. This week will look at the start of the Antarctic tourism season along the A
From whaling to whale watching, our relationship with these animals has improved considerably, but they continue to suffer from infractions or the absence of rules. Image : Michael WengerThe attraction and curiosity about whales can be mutual if all the conditions are met. But when economic attracti
The area around Nanortalik is characterized by numerous skerries – one of which was the Adolf Jensen’ s undoing. Photo: Wikipedia/Jensbn The passenger ship Adolf Jensen ran aground and sank off Nanortalik in southern Greenland last week. All passengers and crew members managed to evacuate and are sa
In the opinion of the editor-in-chief, the largest and northernmost state of the USA is fascinating in its diversity, but it also shows some contrasts in the relationship between the US and the Arctic. The Great Bear (aka Big Dipper), the Arctic constellation, and the Polar Star (top right), in the
A strong and friendly relationship has developed in the Siorapaluk region. Image: Christiane Drieux Inspiring career paths? Information on working in the polar regions? Or feedback? As well as publishing job offers, Polar Jobs offers first-hand experiences and life stories to give ideas to those who
The Ilulissat Icefjord is an impressive sights for tourists, but recently disagreements arose over how the money they spend should be divided. Photo: Michael WengerArctic cruise ship operators have faced headwinds in Greenland this summer, but AECO, an organization representing the interests of expe
This year, the Arctic Tour of Norway was centered around Bodø, the European Capital of Culture, but during its 11 years, it has been through all municipalities of Northern Norway. Photo: Aurelien Vialatte, Arctic Race of NorwayThe four-stage-long Arctic Race of Norway finished with an uphill sprint
The Union Glacier Camp operated by Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains. Photo: Chris Michel, Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), a leading expedition provider, has announced that it will be organizing cross-country skiing ra
Escort of the French Navy’s BSAM Rhône. Image: Guillaume Robin / Studio Ponant / French Navy The French, Danish and Icelandic navies performed search and rescue maneuvers at sea with the most powerful icebreaker in the NATO zone, a tourist liner flying the flag of the French islands of Wallis and Fu
The Madrid Protocol gives priority to scientific research in Antarctica – a natural reserve dedicated to peace and science – but it does not have exclusivity. Photo: Michael Wenger The growth of tourism in Antarctica is not without concern for the Treaty’s Consultative Parties. In a press release is
Tourism in Arctic regions is increasingly at the center of a debate between politics, science and industry, and searching for solutions seems like a hike in the polar night. The Arctic night sky and the region are not always lit up by auroras. Often enough, the only light available comes from lamps,
