By Dilara Zengin</p> <p>ANTARCTICA (AA) – The number of tourists visiting Antarctica is on the rise in recent years, according to data of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).</p> <p>The number of tourists visiting Antarctica rose 28 percent over the past five years, IAATO said.</p> <p>The total number of visitors in Antarctica in the 2013-14 season was 37,405, while the number increased to 51,707 in the 2017-2018 season, it added. </p> <p>The prices of Antarctica tours range from $5,500 to $96,100.</p> <p>Nearly 98 percent of the visitors reached the freezing continent by sea from South America.</p> <p>The continent attracted most visitors from the U.S. with 33 percent, which was followed by Chinese with 16 percent and Australians with 11 percent.</p> <p>IAATO Operations and Communications Assistant Amanda Lynnes told Anadolu Agency that interest towards Antarctica is increasing day by day and it will continue in the following years.</p> <p>Lynnes said the visits to the region should be carried out responsibly to avoid any harm to nature.</p> <p>She said ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not allowed to visit the continent.
- Writing by Fatih Hafiz Mehmet
