Tourism Cluster Development Models in the Arctic: The Opportunities for China to Participate
Tourism Cluster Development Models in the Arctic: The Opportunities for China to Participate

Author(s): Vasily Erokhin
Subject(s): Economy, Tourism
Published by: Икономически университет - Варна
Keywords: Arctic; China; cluster; Nordic countries; Russia; tourism
Summary/Abstract: The recent growth of the attractiveness of the Arctic is as a tourist destination has been determined by a number of competitive advantages of the region in the eyes of Chinese tourists: intact nature, environment, exoticism, and uncommonness of a travel. This paper defines the major opportunities along with the expected challenges of China’s involvement in the exploration of the Arctic (circumpolar territories of Russia and Nordic countries of Europe) in the light of various cluster development models that already exist and may be potentially established in the region. Among the major findings are various interconnected solutions for the development of China-EU and China-Russia tourism clusters in the Arctic, particularly, establishment of modern and innovative infrastructure to provide services for tourists; development of new tourist products aimed at different target groups of tourists; creation of common Arctic information and reference system for natural and historical-and-cultural attractions, routes, tourism services, and an integrated baseline package of the relevant information and advertisement materials; development of tourism facilities, including those in specially protected areas; facilitation and maintenance of new environmental and wildlife demonstration routes; advertisement and information support, marketing, and promotion of tourist products at the national and international markets; establishment of partner relations between regions, towns, tour operators, nature reserves, tourist companies, and other stakeholders. The author concludes that clusters in the Arctic should promote the specific tourist attractions and a higher level of services to increase the number of incoming tourists from China, while at the same time should help to minimize negative effects of mass tourism on the environment and way of life of indigenous peoples. Development of cluster approach in the sphere of Arctic tourism will allow China and Nordic countries developing several tourism branches simultaneously and will facilitate the comprehensive and sustainable development of the circumpolar territories

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