As the first compilation focusing on Arctic (as opposed to polar) tourism, this text concentrates on the fundamental essence of the Arctic as being a geographical periphery, but also an experiential core that offers peak tourism experiences. It explores Arctic tourism, focusing on tourist experiences and industry provision of those experiences.
Geographic peripherality poses challenges of access and service quality while sometimes being accompanied by economic dependency and relatively low power, but these may be compensated for, and even counteracted, by the availability of attractions that offer peak emotional and spiritual experiences for visitors. Residents both indigenous and non-indigenous, moreover, exhibit resilience and imagination in the face of isolation and harsh environmental conditions, giving rise to actual and potential models of tourism innovation in such aspects as product, marketing, management, transportation and intermediation (e.g. tour guides, travel agencies).
The book accordingly is organised into two main sections. The first section, following the Introduction `Tourist experiences of the Arctic¿ investigates the depth and dimensions of tourist experiences in the Arctic from the tourist perspective. Chapters examine the essence of diverse peak experiences and delve into the factors that give rise to these experiences. The second part, `Creating tourist experiences¿ considers the links between these core experiences and the tourism industry that seeks to sustain itself by facilitating such satisfying outcomes.
The book provides essential information for academics and students studying artic tourism as well as practitioners and representatives of government and NGOs.
