How To Develop An Arctic Tourism

Transcription

1 Arctic Tourism development, challenges and possibilities Dr. Anna Karlsdóttir Associateprofessor UI & Senior Research Fellow Nordregio

2 Nature as the magnet Tourism in the Arctic spreads in all directions Attractions: climate(northernlights), Mega fauna, polar bears, narwhal, cultural uniqueness(indigenous people) Landscapes Icebergs Glaciers Geological formations Bioeconomy(gastronomy and food) Coastal features

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4 Tourism statistics in Canadian destinations

5 Arctic as a destination for cruises: Possibilities and Challenges Visitor safety systems Preparedness of visitors Nature of interaction with environment and local people Potential for local economic benefit Lack of supporting infrastructure (port facilities) Availability of services (food and fuel re supply) Carrying capacity of vulnerable sites

6 More challenges linked with cruise tourism Search and rescue challenge Challenge of developing comprehensive monitoring and surveillance system Example of mass tourism model putting strain on vulnerable ecosystems and smaller communities

7 Iceland as a case Tourist destination at crossroads Recent and rapid growth, annual change 20% ( ), 35% ( ), 26,8% of foreign currency receipts Major carrying capacity problems in most visited attractions Signs of over-investment in the industry (accomodation 40% of hotels yielded profit in 2012) Lack of investment in research, and training, knowledge base around tourism is weak

8 Finland and Sweden in comparison While Sweden has lost market shares, Swedish Laplan is the country top developing destination (12% increase 2012 and 45 bill.sek turnover) Finnish Lapland exceeds all other North Nordic regions in winter tourism (hikers, snowmobile excursion, santas home, reindeer excursion, sledge dog etc) Main attraction in Northern Sweden Laponia, Sámi culture with reindeer herding, boreal forests, Ice hotel, tree hotel and fishing and rafting in the rivers, camping and hiking.

9 Tourism as a tool in regional development Canadian Arctic: tourism is considered both a stimuli and an agent of change for the region, with varying promotional budgets across Canadian provinces Faroe Islands: Tourism seen as an important way to generate economic growth, also because it is expected to grow. Iceland: General boosterism hampers quantity over quality, while studies of social implications are largely absent Finland: In Lapland the development has focused on formulating tourism zones around destinations to enhance development between destinations and villages (Lapland strategy for tourism ) Importance of tourism as employer with 39-46% of labor involved in muncipalities of Western Lapland.

10 Comparison across countries relevant Pristine and unspoiled nature as the main image: Faroe Islands, Canada, Iceland, Alaska Lack of research and need to professionalize and educate: Canada, Faroe Islands and Iceland Invading influence of big tourist corporate powers: Alaska and Canada? Seasonality: Finland, Sweden, Norway, Faroe Islands, Canada, Alaska, Norway Tensions between different landuse stakeholder (tourism, forestry, mining and reindeer herding).

11 Tourism has spurred opportunities. Examples: Over 1586 tourism enterprises are operating in Lapland (2011) Tourism has become a varied and well acknowledged employment field (3-5% of population) YOUNG PEOPLE Northern Sweden has the highest concentration of ecotourism companies licensed (Nature s best certification) Enabled regions to reinvent their image and create diversification in the economy and providing product innovations in tourism (economuseum, New nordic food regime etc.)

12 Therapeutic attributes Solitude in wast nature Hiking Ice-climbing Adventure-tourism Outdoor leisure of all kinds

13 ARCTIC IN THE LIMELIGHT Quality of growth in tourism? Needs to be discussed Does it have a limit? Not least the question of human capital