Managing Svalbard Tourism: Inconsistencies and Conflicts of Interest

The Svalbard Archipelago has experienced a rapid increase in tourism-related activities over the past few decades. Norwegian Government’s ambition to develop Archipelago’s tourism industry offers multiple socio-economic opportunities. development and scope of these is affected by complex governance system that entails strict environmental regulation preparedness considerations. To understand balance goals across national international policy levels, we have mapped, reviewed, analyzed regulations agreements affect on Svalbard. document analysis reveals framework natural consideration, access areas passage, requirements for organized outdoor activities, regulatory tools. We discovered conflicts internal inconsistencies way developed. It been shaped both economic growth preservation, without any specific business objectives or acceptable limits social change place. For stakeholders, this might complicate rational assessment between status. challenges identified are Svalbard, but likely be similar many other Arctic locations involved tourism.