For further information about the content and logistics of the 6th
Annual Workshop on Linking Tourism and Conservation in the Arctic to be
held in Juneau, Alaska, please contact:
Marianne Lodgaard
WWF-Arctic Programme
Box 6784 St. Olavs Plass
N-0130 Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47/2203-6517
Fax: +47/2220-0666
E-mail: arctic [at] wwf.no
FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
6th Annual Workshop on Linking Tourism and Conservation in the Arctic:
Arctic Tourism: What Should the Limits Be?
Sponsored by
The Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association
and
WWF Arctic Programme
24-25 February 2001
Juneau, Alaska
Deadline for pre-registration: 1 February 2001
WORKSHOP OBJECTIVE
To identify bad practices in arctic tourism, and determine what limits
arctic governments, communities and tour operators should set to ensure
that tourism is both environmentally and socially responsible.
The workshop will address the following specific areas:
CRUISE TOURISM
Cruise tourism in Alaska has brought both revenue and a long list of
problems: pollution, including illegal dumping; wear and tear on the
environment due to large numbers of visitors; quality of life issues for
communities visited by cruise ships; and last but not least leakage,
with revenues from cruise traffic staying in the hands of non-Alaskan
cruise companies. Canada has had some of these experiences as well.
Other arctic countries, with less cruise tourism, may be facing some of
the same problems within the next decade.
Is there a way to make large-scale arctic cruise tourism more
sustainable? Can this type of tourism be compatible with conservation?
What measures should countries with a developing cruise market take to
avoid the problems that Alaska has experienced? What about a per-tourist
tax to cover the hidden costs of cruise tourism for communities or
countries?
MOTORIZED TOURISM
There is an increasing demand for tours involving motorized transport
into, through and over wilderness areas - snowmobiles, helicopters and
light aircraft, and even nuclear-powered icebreakers. In some cases the
destinations are inaccessible without motorized transport. In other
cases motorized transport is an end in itself, or an easy way for
tourists to see a large area in a short amount of time.
How do the different kinds of motorized transport affect the
environment, including wildlife? Should there be wilderness areas where
motorized transport, including fly-overs, is prohibited? Are
ethical/aesthetic reasons a strong enough basis for such a prohibition?
HUNTING AND FISHING TOURISM
In some parts of Canada, hunting and fishing tourism brings revenue to
communities and wildlife management. In some parts of Russia, illegal or
unregulated hunting and fishing tourism depletes populations and
resources on which local people depend. There are also disputes over who
owns and should own the rights to hunt and fish.
What are the necessary ingredients for hunting and fishing tourism that
is consistent with conservation? Who should own the rights to hunting
and fishing? How can ownership, licensing and regulations be structured
so as to achieve maximum benefits for wildlife conservation?
WILDLIFE VIEWING
Tourists increasingly expect to come to the Arctic and see wildlife at
close range. In some instances they disturb wildlife by getting too
close; in other instances tourist numbers and human activity interfere
with wildlife.
Should there be more wildlife/habitat areas that are off-limits to
visitors? How should managers determine which areas should be off
limits? Is more research needed on the effects of tourism on wildlife?
What responsibility do tour operators have? How can managers ensure that
wildlife viewing does not affect behavior and populations?
WORKSHOP STRUCTURE
This will be an open, facilitated workshop. For each issue, we will
invite two to four speakers to present case studies. The case studies
will draw on experiences from different areas of the Arctic, and where
relevant from other regions. Discussion of the case studies will focus
on identifying negative impacts of tourism; the best ways to reduce or
eliminate these impacts; and what kinds of tourism are most consistent
with conservation. Workshop participants should be prepared to be
actively involved in discussions.
The workshop will immediately precede the annual conference of workshop
co-sponsor the Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association
(AWRTA). Those attending the Linking Tourism and Conservation in the
Arctic workshop are welcome to attend the AWRTA conference (26-28
February 2001), and are eligible for AWRTA's member-discounted
conference fee. You will find more information about AWRTA and the AWRTA
conference on the AWRTA web site (http://www.awrta.org).
2000 ARCTIC AWARD
During the workshop, we will also present the 2000 Arctic Award for
Linking Tourism and Conservation. Carrying a cash prize of 10,000 CHF,
it will honor the best example of a link between tourism and
conservation in the Arctic. The deadline for applications is January 15,
2001. For more information, please refer to the WWF Arctic Programme's
Web site at www.grida.no/wwfap, or contact us at: arctic [at] wwf.no or +47
22 03 65 17.
WORKSHOP LOCATION
Alaska-Baranof Inn Hotel, Juneau, Alaska.
ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, AND FEES
AWRTA has secured a block of rooms for conference participants at the
AK-Baranof Inn Hotel, where the workshop will take place. There will be
a special rate of $89/room, with a 12% room tax. If you would like to
take advantage of this special rate, please fill out the attached
pre-registration form and we will handle your hotel booking for you.
For participants from Europe, AWRTA has also arranged a special price
for air travel from Frankfurt to Juneau. Please indicate on the
pre-registration form whether you would like to take advantage of this
special price, and we will make your plane reservations.
There will be a conference fee of $100 USD.
EXCURSION
There will be two optional excursions, from 1-6 March, which will be
organized by AWRTA. Additional information about the excursions will be
provided to those who pre-register.
DEADLINES
Those who would like to participate in the workshop should send their
pre-registration forms by 1 February 2001.
ORGANIZERS AND SPONSORS
The workshop hosts and organizers are the WWF Arctic Programme and the
Alaska Wilderness Recreation and Tourism Association. Additional
sponsors for the workshop are welcome; those interested should contact
the Arctic Programme.
CONTACT
For further information about the content of the workshop and logistics,
please contact:
Marianne Lodgaard
WWF-Arctic Programme
Box 6784 St. Olavs plass
N-0130 Oslo, Norway
Phone: +47/2203-6517
Fax: +47/2220-0666
E-mail: arctic [at] wwf.no