The project examines the impact of the polar experience on the visitor in terms of the development of an ambassadorship for the polar regions, the climate and a sustainable lifestyle, as well as the polar tourist’s perceived and actual impact on the environment during the visit.
During the expedition the researchers conducted interviews and surveys on issues such as expectations, experiences and influence of the polar visit. During landings in Antarctica, visitor behaviour was studied using GPS and camcorder. Additionally, the researchers documented the tourists’ interaction with the environment and the guide’s relevance for this. The material collected during the expedition will be compared with data collected during previous expeditions and future field studies of tourism in polar regions.
Principal investigator
Hans Gelter
Department of Arts, Communication and Education, Luleå University of Technology