Polar Tourism

Book excerpt: Polar Tourism Tourism in the Arctic and Antarctic Regions Edited by Colin Michael Hall University of Canberra, Australia and Margaret E. Johnston Lakehead University, Canada The world’s polar regions have witnessed rapid tourism growth in the past decade, and although this may have been a welcome economic boon, substantial questions are now being asked about the effects of tourism on the environment and its social impact on the indigenous peoples. This book provides the first comprehensive overview of tourism in the polar regions and addresses not only the impacts of tourism on these fragile regions, but also the ways by which it may be managed and regulated. It illustrates potential mechanisms by which tourism in environmentally sensitive and culturally unique areas can become sustainable. Polar Tourism is an invaluable book for students of tourism, northern studies, polar studies, and resource, environmental, and wilderness management.