Visitors to the Arctic
Gehrke, CharlotteExternal Publications (2025)
in: Elena Conde / Corine Wood-Donnelly (eds.), The Routledge Handbook of Arctic Governance, London: Routledge, 21-38
ISBN: 978-1-00-337188-5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003371885
Information
This chapter introduces readers to two kinds of visitors to the Arctic: Tourists and professional visitors. Herein, discussions of the latter specifically focus on three professions: Policymakers, scientists, and journalists travelling to the high North. The chapter combines insights from original research and existing grey and academic literature to highlight three key challenges facing and motivating those visiting the Arctic: The climate crisis, resource constraints, and a lack of awareness, nuance, and context in public discussions of the Arctic, its residents, flora, and fauna. The chapter concludes that all visitors to the Arctic are confronted with these challenges; however, the ways in which different types of visitors are impacted and contribute to these dilemmas vary. While the chapter includes suggestions for potential solutions to address these issues, it cautions readers that if current dilemmas are left unanswered, they will shape future challenges and ultimately further curtail visits to the Arctic.