General Information
(Creation Year & Reason)

1995

Reason: Mandate from UNEP

Initiator(s)

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Objectives(s)

To encourage the development of a type of tourism that protects the environment as much as possible; that educates tourists about the Arctic environment and peoples; that respects the rights and cultures of Arctic residents; and that increases the share of tourism revenues that go to northern communities.

Timeframes and Milestones

The guidelines were developed in cooperation with tour operators, conservation organizations, resource managers, researchers, and representatives from indigenous communities during workshops held in Svalbard, Norway in 1996 and 1997.

The next stage of the project will implemented the guidelines by establishing pilot projects and evaluating compliance. This was the subject of a workshop in Iceland in February 1998, which may lead to the establishment of an independent organization to monitor tourism in the Arctic.

Implementation Process

The initiative has ten principles for Arctic Tourism that are incorporated into Codes of Conduct for Tour Operators in the Arctic as well as for Arctic Tourists:

1. Make Tourism and Conservation Compatible

2. Support the Preservation of Wilderness and Biodiversity

3. Use Natural Resources in a Sustainable Way

4. Minimize Consumption, Waste and Pollution

5. Respect Local Cultures

6. Respect Historic and Scientific Sites

7. Communities Should Benefit from Tourism

8. Trained Staff are the Key to Responsible Tourism

9. Tourism Should Educate about the Arctic Environment and Arctic Conservation

10. Follow Safety Rules
    

Monitoring Process & Parties

Designed to be self-monitoring on the part of operators.

Success in Achieving Stated Objectives

Good involvement on the part of operators.

Public Education & Information Components

The Arctic Programme works to raise public awareness and government consciousness of the importance of the Arctic Environment and its need for protection through a variety of mechanisms.

Replication Potential

High. While adaptations would need to be made for other environmentally sensitive areas, the basic tenets of the Code are certainly replicable.

Mechanisms for Improvement

Strategic decisions for the next 3 years:

Linking tourism will for the time being focus on a few strategic regions - Svalbard, Iceland, Lofoten, Nunavut and possibly Alaska.

WWF will work to build concrete partnerships with the tourism industry and other stakeholders on conservation issues, and continue to lead the project.

The Steering Committee will be disbanded, and various task forces will provide advice on discrete issues.

Participants will investigate the feasibility and utility of regional or industry segment certification.

A new award for the best link between tourism and conservation in the Arctic will be given next year.

Contacts for Further Information

Samantha Smith, WWF Arctic Programme,
Kristian Augusts Gata 7A
P. O. Box 6784
St. Olavs Plass
N-0130 Oslo, Norway
Tel: +47-2203 65 17
Fax: +47-22 20 06 66
E-mail: wwfap@online.no