Sustainable Model for Arctic Regional Tourism

SMART Project Overview

SMART is a project that was founded by representatives of the Arctic's tourism industry and stakeholders that had a vision "to empower the tourism sector in the arctic to continually innovate more sustainable tourism practice". The Project partners represent a majority of arctic countries and continue to encourage broader participation.

SMART was identified as a 3-year project that would create tools, resources, industry incentives and professional training. These resources would be used directly by the industry and local and regional stakeholders to assist the Arctic tourism sector, which consists mostly of small-and-medium sized entrepreneurs, to adopt economical, environmental and culturally sustainable tourism practices.

SMART is a joint initiative project of the Arctic Council and the Northern Forum. The initial participating countries and partners include; Finland, Sweden, and Canada with representation from WWF Arctic Programme. Additional supportive partners include Alaska, Scotland, Faroe Islands, Arkhangelsk Region of Russia. Other countries that have expressed an interest and are attempting to source national funds are Greenland and Iceland.

Project Objectives & Scope

The SMART project is based on the following principles:

Vision

To empower the tourism sector in the arctic to continually innovate more sustainable tourism practices.

Mission

Assist the arctic tourism sector to adopt economically, environmentally and culturally sustainable tourism practices.

Main objectives

To collect, document and analyse best practices that are relevant to sustainable arctic tourism.
To market sustainable tourism practices and the benefits from adopting them.
To assist the arctic tourism sector to learn how to implement sustainable tourism practices.
To define sustainable tourism practices and to recognise or award businesses for achieving them.
To create incentives for the tourism sector to adopt sustainable tourism practices and to join a market recognition scheme, as well to lay the ground work to brand sustainable arctic tourism.

Based on the two pillars of the project, 1) knowledge transfer and, 2) market incentives, SMART aims to strengthen the awareness and implementation of sustainable practices in the Arctic tourism sector. More concretely, the project’s mission is to assist the target groups to adopt economical, environmental and culturally sustainable tourism practices.

Principles for Sustainable Arctic Tourism

These principles should be seen as goals and guidelines, not as conditions.

Supports the local economy
Supporting stands for employing staff, buying goods and services and paying tax locally. Tangible benefits from tourism are a positive force.
Operates environmental friendly
Establish and continuously improve environment policies. Transportation, waste and lodging impact policies are adjusted to local conditions.
Supports the conservation of local nature
The ecological carrying capacity of the area must be respected. The local inhabitants and tourism operators have a right to participate in land-use planning on local and regional level. The operator should have thorough knowledge and co-operate with other actors and should give active support to preferably local conservation projects.
Respects and involves the local community
Promoting and preserving local cultures, lifestyles and values sets limits and rules to tourism. Quality tourism depends on active support from and benefit to local people. The networking between different stakeholders in the region is highly encouraged.
Ensures quality and safety in all business operations
Sustainable tourism is quality tourism. This includes administration, planning, acting as a good host and implementing safety issues in quality management policy.
Educates visitors about local nature & culture
Sustainable tourism is based on curious and respectful visitors. Operators use knowledgeable guides and constantly improve the awareness level of the personnel. The visitor is given information of the sustainable tourism in the region.

SMART - the Northwest Territories Connection

Although the Government of the NWT is recognised as an associate partner of the project, its roll has been as a very active participant. It is recognized that the NWT represents a significant portion of the Arctic and needs to be involved in international programs that may affect or impact tourism in the Arctic.

For more information regarding the SMART project in the NWT, contact

Mike Couvrette Regional Programs Coordinator
Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development
Box 390
Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0 Tel: (867) 872-6416
E-Mail: Mike_Couvrette@gov.nt.ca

Or visit the SMART international web-site at: www.arctictourism.net