The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was founded in 1991 by seven companies.
The primary goal of the association is to "advocate and promote the practice of safe and environmentally responsible private-sector travel to the Antarctic".
In addition there are tour groups working outside the association which may not follow its safety and environmental guidelines.
The need for an association like the IAATO is that eight countries have made territorial claims in Antarctica.
In fact, in some cases, countries claim the same piece of the continent.