The UQAM School of Management (ESG UQAM, Université du Québec à Montréal), and the International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPTRN), in collaboration with the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), will be hosting an international conference on Polar Tourism in August 2008 in Kangiqsujuaq, Nunavik, in Northern Quebec. Kangiqsujuaq, on the shore of the Hudson Strait, is at the heart of this scenic and emerging tourism region.
The conference, to be held as part of the International Polar Year 2007-2009, will be an opportunity to discuss research, trends, and industry developments in the field of polar tourism. It will also provide an opportunity to strengthen ties among polar tourism research specialists, tourism operators and other individuals with an interest in tourism in the Polar Regions (Arctic-Antarctic).
In the last twenty years polar tourism has emerged as a new phenomenon within a constantly growing worldwide tourism industry, tapping into the powerful lure of polar mythology. Although polar tourism is most often associated with expedition cruises to the High Arctic and Antarctic, it is actually far more diversified than this, offering a wide range of products, from land-based safaris in the backcountry to cultural experiences in urban and semi-urban Northern environments. In short, polar tourism covers a large spectrum of interests and activities (both ecological and non-ecological) which all share the common denominator of polar mythology. The Nunavik, as well as other regions of Northern Quebec and Canada, provide many examples of opportunities for polar tourism with such activities as husky rides, trekking, snowmobiling and cruising.
Since the last International Polar Year (1957-58), tourism has become a major force shaping the development of many northern and peripheral communities in both hemispheres. This rapid growth of tourism has generated positive answers to development as well as dilemmas as to the management of the human and natural resources, the involvement of outside interests, and the representation of indigenous people and cultures. The aim of the international Nunavik Polar Tourism Conference is to bring together all those interested in discussing these issues, and of finding the best ways to build a solid and well-managed polar tourism industry for all circumpolar regions of the world.
The conference will promote both formal and informal modes of communications. Formal presentations will include paper and poster sessions. Informal presentations will include round table discussions on selected themes. Papers and communications for the formal sessions should address one of the following (but not exclusively):
DEVELOPMENT OF THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
Concepts and definitions; evolution and diversification of the polar tourism product; trends in specific forms of polar tourism (cruises, camping, hiking, husky or reindeer tours, safaris, snowmobiling, etc.); local control of the development in tourism development; climate change and resilience; benefits to community; infrastructures; sustainability; economic implications; new regulations; etc.
INDIGENOUS and INUIT PEOPLE AND TOURISM
The relations and perspectives of the indigenous and Inuit people about the development of polar tourism in their localities (circumpolar North).
WILDLIFE and PLANTS
Trends regarding the use of fauna and flora; consumptive and non-consumptives uses; traditional harvesting activities; ethics; management regulations, codes of conducts; etc.
EDUCATION and RESEARCH
Education, research, fostering networks in polar tourism; increasing dissemination of information through new modes of communication; etc.
TOURISTIC EXPERIENCE
Motivations; visit patterns and behaviours; satisfaction of clientele vs. ecological integrity; tourists’ preferences; etc.
SAFETY and RISK MANAGEMENT
Parks and protected areas in polar tourism; polar tourism and its implication in sovereignty issues; safety, security and rescue in polar tourism; sustainability; communications.
OPERATORS' and LOCAL VIEWS and NEEDS
An opportunity for polar tourism operators to address issues that affect them and to seek a discussion with the forum of researchers.
Related issues and themes for the round table discussions are also welcomed.
Abstracts for the conference should be about 300 words and submitted before March 25, 2008 at polartourism@uqam.ca in Word (PDF documents are not accepted). The selection will be done through a triple blind review process.
Articles submitted and approved by peer review will be published in the Conference Proceedings, after the meeting. The articles, preferably in English or French (other Nordic languages will be considered), must range from 4000 to 6000 words. Texts should include a short biographical note on the author (3-5 lines, maximum), an abstract of 150 words as well as a list of key words (maximum 6).
Submission guidelines will be provided soon.
| Day 1 |
Early morning flight from Montreal to Kangiqsujuaq
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| Day 2-4 |
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| Day 5 | Flight to Montreal (overnight necessary). |
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Outdoor activities (hiking, etc.) and cultural activities (Inuktitut language workshop) will be announced later.
Kangiqsujuaq (the large bay)
The northern village of Kangiqsujuaq is located on the south coast of the Hudson Strait, in Nunavik, in Arctic Québec. It lies at a latitude of 61? 31' north and a longitude of 71? N 56' west, well north of the tree line. Meaning the large bay in Inuktitut*, Kangirsujuaq is nestled in the valley of Wakeham Bay, and is surrounded by high headlands. The view on the bay from the community is breathtaking.
Petroglyphs (rock carvings) nearby and other archeologic evidence indicate that the Inuit have occupied this area for over 1200 years. Regular contact with European culture has been occurring for the past 300 years, based on fur trade in the past century. In the 1960's, the community settled in the actual village. Based on subsistence hunting and fishing until the 1970's, activity increasingly centered around the delivery of municipal, health and educational services with the construction of community infrastructure such as the school and nursing dispensary. Today, with a population of around 500, Kangiqsujuaq is both a traditional community with a deep pride in its traditions and language, and a lively modern village with lots of services: a tourism interpretation center, two general retailers, an arena, a community center, and a brand new 14 room hotel where 28 people can be hosted comfortably.
The land is frozen year round, except for a short period during the summer where the first 1.5 metres thaws. It supports vegetation and animal life usually found in tundra areas. Wildlife includes caribou, fox, wolf, ptarmigan and arctic hare, and in the surrounding waters are a number of species of seal, whales, polar bear and walrus, as well as mussels, clams and shrimp. Fish include arctic char, lake trout and white fish. During the spring and fall, Kangiqsujuaq is on the migratory path for eider ducks, snow geese, Canada geese and rock ptarmigan. The Pingualuit National Park, the first ever national park in Nunavik, opened up in November 2007. It is located 100 kms southwest of Kangiqsujuaq, and fosters the famous Northern Quebec Crater, known for its nearly perfect circular shape and the clarity of its waters. The park is the first of a series of five parks to be set up in the region. An agreement between the Québec government and the Nunavimmiut** provides that all Nunavik parks are to be managed by the Inuit. This led the community of Kangiqsujuaq and the Kativik Regional Government into a planning process of local and regional tourism development. The first actions to be taken have been the training of human resources and the development of community awareness. Both the challenges and the potential of tourism development in a sustainable way have now begun to be addressed by the locals.
ORGANISERS
MAIN SPONSOR
ADDITIONNAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY:
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
For information, please contact
Alain A. Grenier, PhD
Professor of nature-based tourism
Université du Québec À Montréal (UQAM)
International Polar Tourism Research Network (IPTRN)
Telephone : 514-987-3000 Ext : 1796
E-mail : polartourism@uqam.ca
