| Abstrakt: |
Despite its extreme remoteness, the geographic North Pole is attracting more tourists than ever before, bringing increasing numbers of people and ships to the Arctic Ocean. This growth is regarded as potentially damaging to the Arctic environment, especially combined with the effects of climate change on the sea ice. Yet, to understand and anticipate future changes related to increasing tourism at the North Pole (and the Arctic Ocean), it is critical to both assess the current situation of tourism and to anticipate the future of tourism in the region in light of climate change projections. Therefore, this article explores the dimensions and geographies of tourism development at the North Pole, and more generally in the Arctic Ocean, in terms of modes of tourism, itineraries, and estimated numbers of tourists. To do so, we examine three main forms of tourism taking place in the region, namely icebreaker cruises, frontier travelers venturing on the sea ice, and ice camps. The article also aims to discuss the future of tourism in the region in light of estimated climate change impacts on the sea ice, in order to better plan and adapt to a future seasonally ice-free Arctic Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
