Antarctic tourism dips; environmentalists seek cap

Economic downturn is curbing tourism to Antarctica in a respite to a long-term surge that environmentalists want to cap to avert damage to the world's last big wilderness.

The number of visitors to the icy continent is likely to fall to 39,000 in the 2008-09 summer season from a record 46,000 a year ago, according to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).

"It's been impacted by recession," Steve Wellmeier, executive director of the association, said in a telephone interview. He projected that numbers could rebound to 43,000 next season but not challenge the record until 2011 or 2012.