Prospects For Polar Tourism

This book examines polar tourism in its environmental, economic and cultural settings and explores the potential for growth as well as essential management for sustainability. It has 17 chapters organized in 4 parts under the following headings: (i) tourism and the polar environment; (ii) economic roles of polar tourism; (iii) developments in Antarctic tourism; and (iv) managing the new realities. The book will appeal to researchers in tourism, ecology and environmental studies, and to those involved in developing sustainable polar tourism. It has a subject index.

The world’s polar regions are attracting more interest than ever before. Once regarded as barren, inhospitable places where only explorers go, the north and south polar regions have been transformed into high profile tourism destinations, increasingly visited by cruise ships as well as becoming accessible with direct flights. Tourism is seen as one of the few economic opportunities in these regions but at the same time the polar regions are being opened up to tourism development they are being affected by a number of new factors that are interconnected to travel and tourism. Climate change, landscape and species loss, increasing interest in energy resources and minerals, social changes in indigenous societies, and a new polar geopolitics all bring into question the sustainability of polar regions and the place of tourism within them. This timely volume provides a contemporary account of tourism and its impacts in polar regions. It explores the development and prospects of polar tourism, as well as tourism’s impacts and associated change at high latitudes from environmental, economic, social and political perspectives. It draws on cutting edge research from both the Arctic and Antarctic to provide a comparative review and illustrate the real life issues arising from tourism’s role in these regions. Integrating theory and practice the book fully evaluates varying perspectives on polar tourism and proposes actions that could be taken by local and global management to achieve a sustainable future for polar regions and development of tourism. This complete and current account of polar tourism issues is written by an international team of leading researchers in this area and will have global appeal to higher level students, researchers, academics in Tourism, Environmental Studies, Arctic/Polar Studies and conservation enthusiasts alike.

This is one of the first books to account for the emergence of transfrontier conservation in Africa against international experiences in bioregional planning.

Dynamic natural events and human activities in the Polar Regions are having a significant combined impact on these fragile environments, as well as on communities in populated regions of the Arctic. This publication describes the key features of the Polar Region environment and assesses the multiple roles and impacts of tourism activities in both the Arctic and Antarctica. It proposes an agenda for sustainable tourism development, and outlines principles, guidelines and selected good practices to conserve these unique wilderness areas through the regulation and management of tourism.

New Issues in Polar Tourism traces and analyzes a decade of growing interest in the polar regions, and the consequent challenges and opportunities of increasing tourist traffic in formerly remote and seldom-visited places. The book arises from the recently-formed International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPTRN), and documents the outcomes of its 2010 conference, held at Sweden’s Abisko Scientific Research Station.

The creation of the Nunavik is a major step forward, both for the Province of Quebec and its Inuit population. Not only does it underline the recognition of the Inuit people and their identity but it also stresses the importance of discussing some fundamental issues regarding the emancipation of the Inuit, their empowerment, the development and management of the northern resources of Quebec, and the protection and conservation of the fragile Nordic ecosystems. Rich in culture and scenery, Nunavik has identified tourism as one of the main and best suited avenue for economic development. But before Nunavik can truly enjoy the benefits of a well established tourism “industry”, many challenges need to be met. The development of tourism in a new destination is not only challenging but it requires human efforts, political and economic will over a large amount of time without much guaranties as to what will work or not.It is in this context that in August 2008, the members of the newly created International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPTRN) came to Kangiqsujjuak, Nunavik, to discuss how tourism can play a role in regional development. The collection of articles presented here is the result of the coming together of a group of polar tourism researchers from around the world, who met in Nunavik - the northernmost part of Quebec, to discuss polar tourism as a tool for regional development. Such a book does not claim to address all issues facing the polar destinations. It is nevertheless a base for reflection. Many of the new emerging regions of the circumpolar world, like the Nunavik, are experimenting with new powers and responsibilities.For scientists, this is an excellent time to assist with the experiences that have been well documented from other Northern, Arctic and polar regions. For tourism, this book is meant to offer a range of perspectives on how challenges can be met and how solutions can be implemented for the benefit of all local interests.

Tourism throughout the world raises environmental issues that are often concerned with conflicting rights and responsibilities: the inherent right of mankind to travel, the no-less inherent right of indigenous people to guard their environmental heritage, and the responsibility of governments - local, national or (in the unique case of Antarctica) international - to protect environments over which they exercise stewardship. Additionally, the presence of international commercial enterprises, especially marine and other mass transport modes, represent unique governance challenges. This book deals mainly with environmental issues and the management implications arising from polar tourism, one of the fastest-growing sectors of world tourism. However, many of the issues discussed here arise no less urgently in temperate and tropical wilderness areas, and indeed in any region where sensitive environments are subjected to mass tourism. The principles and guidelines discussed here are of interest and practical use in tourism studies generally. "Readers of this book embark on a stimulating journey into the world of polar tourism. With a focus on management aspects and environmental implications, the intricacies of polar tourism are discussed in an educated and thoughtful manner. Further conceptual background is provided on wilderness and cultural tourism to enable an informed assessment of the framework within which polar tourism operates. A powerful concluding chapter applies the technique of Multiple Resource Management Planning to polar tourism. This book is a valuable resource for students, academics and policy-makers alike." Daniela Liggett, Gateway Antarctica, University of Canterbury, New Zealand

Ecotourism and adventure tours offer unique tourism opportunities in the Antarctic! Are you prepared to make the most of them? Tourism in the Antarctic analyzes tourism activities in the most remote tourist destination in the world! It establishes visitor profiles; discusses the impacts of tourism on the region; and explores barriers, opportunities, and future directions in Antarctic tourism. The emergence of ecotourism has turned Antarctica into an increasingly popular tourist destination for intrepid travelers. During the 1999/2000 season, approximately 15,000 passengers visited Antarctica by ship. Tourism in the Antarctic discusses the new and exciting opportunities for tourism business operators in the region, as well as the ramifications of increased numbers of visitors to this unique environment. In these pages, you will find discussions of issues related to Antarctic tourism including: regulation of the tourism industry under the Antarctic Treaty System, and self-regulation provided by business operators trends and predictions for numbers of visitors to the region tourist attractions that are natural, man-made, spiritual, or scientific in nature wildlife of Antarctica: seals and whales, flying sea birds, penguins, etc. international law as it relates to the region ship-based tourism opportunities from yachts and small expedition-type vessels to very large cruise ships and icebreakers air- and land-based tourism opportunities in the region from private expeditions to overflights an overview of current tourism operations in other remote areas: the Arctic region, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, New Zealand's Sub-Antarctic Islands, and more The author's observations and experiences during cruises to the Antarctic Peninsula, the sub-Antarctic islands and the Ross Sea, as well as during overflights of Antarctica, are the basis of this unique volume. Generously embellished with charts and tables that make it easy to track activities, opinions, trends, and environmental statistics, this book is an essential reference for anyone teaching, studying, or planning to operate a tourism business in this part of the world.