Open AccessTourism in Cold Water Islands: A Matter of Contract? Experiences from Destination Development in the Polar North.
Author(s) -
Per Åke Nilsson
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
island studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1715-2593
DOI - 10.24043/isj.217
Subject(s) - tourism , cruise , business , preparedness , arctic , globalization , perception , order (exchange) , economic geography , marketing , geography , political science , psychology , finance , engineering , ecology , archaeology , aerospace engineering , neuroscience , law , biology
Lack of local understanding and low preparedness for tourism characterise many remote communities of the Polar North, thus undermining positive attitudes towards tourism even if tourism is seen as a development force. The relatively new interest in Arctic regions as a tourist destination combined with different exogenous forces like globalization and climate change make the situation even more complex. The peripheral and insular location often renders cruise tourism as the only option. Under these circumstances, the readiness to accept tourism as a development tool varies from destination to destination, ranging from being seen as a passport to development to a threat to local culture and traditional life. In order to bridge these perception gaps, the idea of a mental or written contract between tourists and local residents is discussed.