120,000 tourists visited Antarctica in 2025–26; former guides say tourism crossed a line

,000 tourists visited Antarctica in 2025–26 season.

A study interviewed 25 former Antarctic tour guides who left their jobs.

Guests struggled to reconcile love for Antarctica with environmental impacts of tourism.

Reasons included witnessing climate change, rising visitor numbers, and wildlife disturbance.

Former guides left due to emotional distress despite strong connection to the continent.