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Youth-based programmes providing education-based expeditions to the Polar Regions have been offered for more than two decades, and whilst studies hint that participants return as inspired and empow...

Indigenous tourism has the ability to foster, promote and preserve Indigenous culture and traditions and is closely in line with Indigenous perspectives. In Canada, Indigenous tourism has been developing at an exponential rate. This paper is a synopsis of a think tank held in Nanaimo, British Columbia at the Sustainable Indigenous Tourism Symposium in April 2017. The purpose of the symposium was to create an interactive forum to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and support community empowerment, cultural expression and economic prosperity within the tourism industry for Indigenous communities in Canada and globally. On the final day of the symposium, a think tank was held to identify key challenges and issues facing the development and competitiveness of sustainable Indigenous tourism in Canada; to share innovations in sustainable Indigenous tourism amongst all stakeholders; and to identify how to support stakeholders in Canada and abroad with the knowledge and tools to develop sustainable Indigenous tourism. The think tank included consultation and collaboration with 82 stakeholders including Indigenous peoples, students, academics, government actors, tour operators and tourism associations. The results of the think tank identified several key themes and the Naut’sa mawt Declaration of the Development of Sustainable Indigenous Tourism was developed from these discussions.

Inspired by notions of interest of humankind and intergenerational equity, we explored Antarctic perceptions of a subset of future generations—university students. Students at three universities in Canada, the Netherlands, and the USA were surveyed to determine the relationships between nationality, academic major, opinions on values of Antarctica, and support for a range of human activities in Antarctica (n = 618). Logistic regression was used to model the relationship of these variables with support for designation of Antarctica as a wilderness reserve, construction of new research stations, and mining. Compared with business and economics majors, biological sciences and natural resources/conservation majors were more likely to support wilderness designation and less likely to support mineral resource development. Nationality was not significantly associated with support for construction of new research stations and mineral resource development. Opinions on the value of Antarctica and support for activities also exhibited significant influences on dependent variables. Consistent with earlier studies of Antarctic scientists, personnel, tourists, and other members of the general public, university students valued Antarctica as one of the world’s last great wildernesses (66%), an important component of the Earth’s climate system (66%), and a science laboratory for the benefit of mankind (62%).

This paper presents the observations and reflections of four faculty members who developed experiential online learning pathways for students in diverse professional programs. In relation to programmatic expectations of Nursing, Education and Business, the challenges and opportunities for experiential online learning design are discussed. In addition, the scaffolding and development of online learning within an undergraduate degree, which ladders into professional programing, are presented. Using Kolb’s Experiential Model of learning design to structure the discussion, the faculty members reflect on the success of implementation from their various positions as leaders and instructors of programs. They seek to answer questions for themselves and their faculties in relation to the feasibility of designing experiential learning opportunities online and how this can contribute to deepening professional practice. The paper closes with implications for practice for other post-secondary educators who may be considering experiential online learning. Notre article présente les observations et les réflexions de quatre enseignants qui ont mis au point des parcours d’apprentissage expérientiel en ligne pour des étudiants inscrits dans divers programmes professionnels. Nous discutons des difficultés et des possibilités de l’apprentissage expérientiel en ligne par rapport aux attentes des programmes de soins infirmiers, d’éducation et de commerce. De plus, nous présentons la construction et l’élaboration de l’apprentissage en ligne dans un programme de premier cycle universitaire qui conduit à l’élaboration de programmes professionnels. En utilisant le modèle expérientiel de conception de l’apprentissage de Kolb pour structurer la discussion, les enseignants réfléchissent aux réussites dans la mise en œuvre de leurs différentes fonctions de chefs de programme et d’instructeurs. Ils se posent des questions – pour leur propre compte et pour les enseignants – sur la faisabilité de la conception d’apprentissages expérientiels en ligne et se demandent comment cela peut contribuer au perfectionnement de leur pratique professionnelle. Nous nous penchons enfin sur les conséquences de notre étude pour la pratique d’autres éducateurs, au niveau postsecondaire, qui envisagent peut-être l’apprentissage expérientiel en ligne.

The seasonal nature of tourism is increasingly receiving the attention of various actors: tourism destination planners and economic development strategists at all levels, tour operators and the diverse businesses that significantly depend on tourism, and the host communities who negotiate tourism’s potential to have both positive and negative impacts. The research report at hand identifies and discusses four main perspectives on the issues of seasonal tourism in the Arctic: local community perspectives; employment and workforce issues; the Arctification of northern tourism; and global environmental change. These themes form the key issues around which the challenges and opportunities related to seasonality of tourism can be placed and worked with. Based on the discussion, the report outlines recommendations related to developing a thriving and sustainable tourism sector in Arctic Europe.

In this expository essay, four faculty members co-reflect on the pedagogy used within one first-year course, Introduction to Community Studies (COMS 1100) at Cape Breton University (CBU). We discuss the responsibility of facilitating five process-based pedagogical approaches. These complex and interrelated processes include: i) self -directed learning, ii) reflexive intra-personal learning, iii) group/inter-personal development, iv) experiential learning, and v) community-based and/or service learning. We describe and give examples of how these approaches help students learn how to learn, function, and grow respectfully with one another and with community.

The Yukon Territory, in Canada’s western Arctic, has tremendous potential for tourism. The territory has abundant natural beauty, and a historical mystique that naturally draws people to the destination. The Yukon has already established itself as an adventure tourism destination for activities such as paddling (canoeing, kayaking and rafting) and dog-sledding. However, mountain biking is a new segment of the Yukon tourism industry. A greater understanding of tourism in the Arctic can be developed through an examination of the destination attributes that draw mountain bike tourists to the Yukon.

A small number of educational programmes for university students include field experience in Antarctica. These programmes contain a range of educational objectives, approaches and academic assessment related to the field component and the intended on-site learning for students. However, it is possible that the on-site experiences of students in these programmes have an influence on later decisions and behaviour beyond the course itself in the years following participation. This paper investigates the possibility of such influence for students who participated in ship-based tourism field trips to the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent locations (South Georgia, the Falkland Islands, and South Shetland Islands) and explores whether students link their participation to particular post-course outcomes. It examines how participants report being affected by a trip to the Antarctic Peninsula, particularly in terms of later decisions regarding learning, professional lives, and environmental behaviour. Influences noted by respondents include effects on choices made in relation to academic pursuits and career paths, as well as development of their environmental values through increased awareness of tourism impacts, Antarctic region sustainability issues, and global issues such as climate change.

The Arctic is affected by global environmental change and also by diverse interests from many economic sectors and industries. Over the last decade, various actors have attempted to explore the options for setting up integrated and comprehensive trans-boundary systems for monitoring and observing these impacts. These Arctic Observation Systems (AOS) contribute to the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of environmental change and responsible social and economic development in the Arctic. The aim of this article is to identify the two-way relationship between AOS and tourism. On the one hand, tourism activities account for diverse changes across a broad spectrum of impact fields. On the other hand, due to its multiple and diverse agents and far-reaching activities, tourism is also well-positioned to collect observational data and participate as an actor in monitoring activities. To accomplish our goals, we provide an inventory of tourism-embedded issues and concerns of interest to AOS from a range of destinations in the circumpolar Arctic region, including Alaska, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Svalbard, the mainland European Arctic and Russia. The article also draws comparisons with the situation in Antarctica. On the basis of a collective analysis provided by members of the International Polar Tourism Research Network from across the polar regions, we conclude that the potential role for tourism in the development and implementation of AOS is significant and has been overlooked., Swedish Foundation for Strategic Environmental Research

Global environmental change is altering natural and built systems in many regions of the world and such changes play a significant role in an emerging travel trend that has been labelled ‘last chance tourism’ (LCT). In LCT, tourism demand is based on the desire to see these vulnerable places and features before they disappear or are essentially and irrevocably changed. The paradox in this new form of travel lies in the fact that the tourists often travel long distances and, thus, are disproportionately responsible per capita for increased greenhouse gas emissions and various other stressors that have the potential to alter further the very attractions being visited. The emergence of LCT requires careful ethical consideration and adds a new twist to the debate about ‘loving a destination to death’. In this case, the relationship is indirect and intangible, and is complicated by spatial and temporal lags, as well as the complex system of biophysical interactions at the heart of climate change. LCT presents ...

This research note explores the issues of perceptions of risk and a changing environment for Antarctic tourism. A pilot study was undertaken aboard an Antarctic cruise ship in February 2008 with the purpose of examining the views of passengers about risk and environmental change in light of the recent sinking of the Explorer and the growing awareness of climate change effects in polar regions.

Popular press and industry stakeholders are reporting a travel trend whereby tourists increasingly seek to experience the world's most endangered sites before they vanish or are irrevocably transformed. Termed ‘last-chance’ or ‘doom’ tourism in the popular media, the desire for tourists to witness vanishing landscapes or seascapes and disappearing species may have important consequences for tourism management, yet the nature of these consequences is poorly understood by the academic community. This paper describes how last-chance tourism is promoted in various tourism marketing strategies, especially in the Arctic. The analysis is supported through a literature review of web-based information and an analysis of three different studies conducted in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada – the self-declared polar bear capital of the world. The authors also examine more closely the concepts of dark and last-chance tourism, and elaborate on the possible connections between the two. The paper concludes with a discussion ...

Torngat Mountains National Park (TMNP) is Canada's newest national park, and was established in 2005. The development of the park has mirrored a change in mandate for the agency that manages it, Parks Canada. Since 2005 Parks Canada has sought to focus on ‘proactively facilitate[ing] opportunities for meaningful and memorable visitor experiences’, complimentary to maintaining the protection of ecological integrity and providing education (Parks Canada 2005, no page numbers). Under the auspices of this new multi-faceted mandate, this research note will examine the current state of tourism in TMNP, and will also evaluate some of the opportunities and challenges for the future. Within Parks Canada's Visitor experience vision 2015 statement, understanding tourism delivery in the present and future are important components of its mission, as is engagement with external partners to assist in this process. The analysis of tourism development in TMNP for this note comes from the authors' two week research trips to the park in August 2008 and July 2009, undertaken to assist Parks Canada to evaluate their current visitor experience activities and future options.

Visitors to Canada's newest national park, Torngat Mountains National Park (TMNP), currently consist of reporters, researchers, tourists, and local Inuit from both Nunatsiavut in northern Labrador and Nunavik in northern Quebec. The national park features spectacular scenery and several types of charismatic mega-fauna, including caribou, whales, and polar bears. Isolated and difficult to access, the park's current approach to managing human–bear interactions, the backbone of which is trained Inuit guides and bear-monitors, has been quite effective. However, as traditional activities by Inuit, and the number of visitors and types of tourists to the area increases, there may be a need by the park management to re-examine current polar bear management strategies.

The climate-sensitive tourism industry, including Arctic marine tourism, is expected to be significantly impacted by climate change. The multifaceted impacts of climate change at multiple scales warrant a theoretical framework that is able to effectively examine complex and integrated relationships. The complex ties between culture, economy, and environment in the Arctic also mean a systems perspective on tourism-related change and sustainability seems highly appropriate. This article outlines some systems approaches to Arctic marine tourism. Key contributions of a systems framework include reconceptualizing Butler's Tourism Area Life Cycle, providing a framework for describing and understanding the tourism–climate change system, including identifying change influences and dynamics at varied spatial and temporal scales, and informing sustainability planning and assessment.

This issue of Polar Geography represents a collection of research papers compiled as a result of the 2006 Canadian Association of Geographers (CAG) Annual Meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario (29 May to...

Few previous studies have given attention to the nature of the experiences gained by those visiting remote locations. This article presents findings from a study that examined the anticipation phase of experience for visitors to the Ross Sea region of the Antarctic continent. Prior to their visit, 55 visitors voluntarily completed a mail-back self-administered survey examining their anticipation of the visit and recording their demographic characteristics. Anticipation, prior to their on-site experience, was measured in relation to three defining dimensions: motivations, image, and mood. Findings suggest that visitors to the Ross Sea region may be notably different in their demographic profile and their anticipation of the visit than from those reported in previous Antarctic studies.

Marine tourism in Arctic Canada has grown substantially since 2005. Though there are social, economic and cultural opportunities associated with industry growth, climate change and a range of environmental risks and other problems present significant management challenges. This paper describes the growth in cruise tourism and pleasure craft travel in Canada’s Nunavut Territory and then outlines issues and concerns related to existing management of both cruise and pleasure craft tourism. Strengths and areas for improvement are identified and recommendations for enhancing the cruise and pleasure craft governance regimes through strategic management are provided. Key strategic approaches discussed are: (1) streamlining the regulatory framework; (2) improving marine tourism data collection and analysis for decision-making; and (3) developing site guidelines and behaviour guidelines.

Western health professionals often experience difficulties in service delivery to Aboriginal people because of the disparity between Aboriginal and Western health belief systems. This article reviews the literature which considers 'traditional' Aboriginal health beliefs and medical systems. The traditional Aboriginal model of illness causation emphasises social and spiritual dysfunction as a cause of illness. Supernatural intervention is regarded as the main cause of serious illness. There are gender divisions in Aboriginal society that impact on the delivery of Western healthcare. Management strategies such as preventative care, bush medicine, and the role of traditional healers are discussed. These belief systems are considered with particular reference to their interactions and implications with regard to the Western medical system. This information provides a framework to allow improved understanding by health professionals of the health-related decisions made by Aboriginal people.

The scope and intensity of human activity in the Antarctic region has changed considerably over the past 100 years, resulting in significant modifications to the Antarctic environment and its ecosystems, and to the institutional arrangements governing human activities. Since the nineteenth century, Antarctica has seen periods of heavy resource exploitation followed more latterly by swells of governmental scientific research programmes which have, in turn, led to a plethora of international agreements. By the end of the twentieth century, commercial tourism was also firmly established. Development in human engagement with the Antarctic environment has been accompanied by changes in human values, technologies and ways of thinking. This chapter sets the scene for the entire volume by providing a historical background on human activities, their management and their implications, which other chapters build upon. The purpose of this chapter is not to explore the full breadth of human activities, environmental impacts and governance arrangements in Antarctica. Rather, it aims to provide a contextual framework that can be used to anchor together the diverse subjects treated in the subsequent chapters.

During this time of heightened awareness of issues related to sustainable development, there has been an explosion and advancement in communication and computer technologies. Merging the study of sustainable development in rural North America with technological innovation is the subject of this chapter. The authors discuss the evolution in education from traditional teaching environments and approaches, to interactive student and instructor learning's via computers and the Internet. The chapter reviews the authors' experience in a synchronous e-learning course on rural sustainability over a large geographic area, including the technology and technological challenges, working with diverse cultures, languages and academic disciplines, benefits and lessons learned.

The future scenarios developed by the contributors to this volume communicate a strong message. They concur that existing environmental management practices and the current system of governance are insufficient to meet the obligations set out under the Madrid Protocol to protect the Antarctic environment, let alone to address the challenges facing a warmer and busier Antarctic in the twenty-first century and beyond. However, not all is doom and gloom. A variety of environmental protection provisions have already been agreed. Reassertion and full compliance to their objectives, as well as wider use of existing environmental management tools (e.g. monitoring, information sharing, systematic designation of protected areas) can significantly increase the protection of the Antarctic environment. Notwithstanding, contentious and strategic issues need to be addressed urgently and proactively. Long-term and large-scale considerations need to permeate throughout all the steps of planning, decision making, implementation, enforcement, monitoring and compliance. Decisions should be guided by long-term visions and goals that are supported by genuine commitment from all actors. Multiple dimensions and perspectives of human engagement with the Antarctic environment (e.g. time, space, individual and collective values, ecosystems) need to be taken into consideration. Effective Antarctic environmental governance can only exist within the context of a stable and supportive governance regime that is invested with genuine political will and necessary resources. This ultimately depends on how much Antarctic Treaty Parties or, in fact, humankind in general, want to protect the Antarctic environment. The future of human engagement with the Antarctic environment draws on basic human values that underlie all decision making. We strongly recommend continued and coordinated studies into the values that different publics and Antarctic Treaty Party members actually associate with Antarctica and into how these values manifest themselves in human behaviour in Antarctica as well as in its governance. Finally, the Antarctic exists within a global context, and its environment cannot be protected through efforts within the Antarctic only. The sustainability of the Antarctic environment also depends on the preservation and broadening of agreed provisions within the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), links between the ATS and other relevant global environmental agreements and global environmental initiatives.

This chapter will address questions of what polar tourism is and how it has been researched. These questions serve to allow the field to look back upon its research and reflect. However, looking back is not enough. Within a group such as the International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPRTN), we must also attempt to venture forward and ask: how should polar tourism be researched? On the surface these questions seem simple, but when one dives deeper, there is considerable complexity to consider. This chapter will put such questions in context by offering expert reflection on them from three perspectives: academic, community, and industry. This will be done within a geographical scope of both poles and across decades of work. While one can never expect to capture absolutely everything about these questions, this chapter will hopefully contribute to an ongoing conversation of research practices and research relevance moving into the future.