China jumps to 3rd in South Pole tourism  

(ECNS) – Between 2013 and 2014, 3,367 Chinese visitors set foot on the South Pole, making China the third largest contributor to Antarctic tourism, after the US and Australia.

According to the International Antarctic Institute, between November 2013 and March 2014, the South Pole greeted 37,405 tourists, of which 12,418, or 33 percent, were from the US, 4,115, or 11 percent, were from Australia, and 3,367, or 9 percent, were from China.

Marine researcher Wang Zipan said soon China would surpass Australia in terms of total visitors.

Antarctic travel is no longer just for the elite. Data shows that 77 percent of Chinese travelers were average citizens. In terms of age distribution, 60 percent were 40 and younger, and 9.5 percent were retired, similar breakdown for Western countries.

However, China's support facilities in the region aren't catching up with the surge in tourists.

According to Wang, China lacks the necessary tourism infrastructure such as flights and vessels. Chinese travelers are usually handed over to foreign travel agencies at the ports. Wang called for government policies to encourage Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in related products and services.

Qu Xiangdong, founder of Chinese travel agency Jizhimei, said regulations are also needed to meet international standards, such as the threshold for traveling, code of conduct, and government supervision.