Overtourism and Antarctica’s fragile ecosystem
As global travel rebounds, concerns about overtourism are making headlines. In a recent Forbes article on Fodor’s No List 2026, which highlights destinations under strain from overcrowding, Jessica O’Reilly, associate professor of International Studies and Anthropology at Indiana University and advisor to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings, weighed in on the growing pressure on one of the planet’s most pristine environments—Antarctica.
“The environment is fragile, and it’s a rare environment. That’s why people want to go there, but it’s also why it can’t really sustain high numbers of tourism,” O’Reilly told Forbes.
Antarctica joins seven other destinations on Fodor’s list, including the Canary Islands, Glacier National Park, and Montmartre in Paris, as places where travelers are urged to rethink plans in 2026. The article underscores the tension between tourism and environmental stewardship, a topic related to O’Reilly’s research on polar governance and climate change.
Students interested in global climate change are encouraged to explore O’Reilly’s courses, including International Climate Governance, which takes students to the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference each year.
Read the full article on Forbes: Overtourism—Where Tourists Should Rethink 2026 Travel Plans