As the number of travelers cruising Antarctica swells, polar expedition companies are launching sustainable vessels designed for these bucket-list trips.

According to the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, approximately 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2018-2019 season, a 53 percent increase from the 2014-2015 season as per a NYT report.

“Climate change is a chief reason for the increased interest in visiting Antarctica,” said Mary Curry, a small ship cruise specialist and travel planner at Adventure Life. “We truly don’t know if the region will ever be as magnificent as it is now.”

“Antarctica itineraries often sell out one or two years in advance, so travelers should be prepared to book early,” she advised.

However, some environmentalists say that increase in uncontrolled tourism could lead to degradation of the pristine continent in the long run.