Climate Change, Marine Tourism, and Sustainability in the Canadian Arctic: Contributions from Systems and Complexity Approaches

Abstract

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.