Antarctica remains the least visited continent on Earth, primarily due to its extreme climate, complete lack of permanent human residents, and the significant cost and logistical difficulty of reaching it. Unlike the other six continents, Antarctica has no cities, hotels, or commercial airports for standard passenger jets. Most visitors are "expedition tourists" who arrive via specialized ice-strengthened cruise ships departing from the southern tip of South America (Ushuaia, Argentina) or occasionally from New Zealand. In 2026, the number of annual visitors has grown to roughly 100,000 to 120,000, which is a fraction of the millions who visit even the least-traveled regions of Africa or South America. Travel is strictly regulated by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) to protect the fragile environment. Most visitors come during the austral summer (November to March) to see penguin colonies and icebergs. Because of its status as a scientific preserve with no sovereign government, the barriers to entry remain high, ensuring it stays the most elusive and pristine destination for the world's most adventurous travelers.