Master’s thesis An Approach Towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism Management: Nature-based Tourism in Nuup Kangerlua, Greenland Hildur Sólveig Elvarsdóttir LL.M. in Polar Law Advisor: Marc L. Miller Professor, School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA University of Akureyri Faculty of Business and Science University Centre of the Westfjords Master of Resource Management: Coastal and Marine Management Ísafjör!ur, May 2013 Supervisory Committee Advisor: Marc L. Miller, Professor School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington, Seattle, USA Reader: Catherine P. Chambers, PhD Candidate Program Director: Dagn" Arnarsdóttir, MSc. Hildur Sólveig Elvarsdóttir An Approach Towards Sustainable Coastal Tourism Management: Nature-based Tourism in Nuup Kangerlua, Greenland. 45 ECTS thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of a Master of Resource Management degree in Coastal and Marine Management at the University Centre of the Westfjords, Su!urgata 12, 400 Ísafjör!ur, Iceland Degree accredited by the University of Akureyri, Faculty of Business and Science, Borgir, 600 Akureyri, Iceland Copyright © 2013 Hildur Sólveig Elvarsdóttir All rights reserved Printing: Háskólaprent, May 2013 Declaration I hereby confirm that I am the sole author of this thesis and it is a product of my own academic research. __________________________________________ Hildur Sólveig Elvarsdóttir Abstract This thesis discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with nature-based tourism in Nuup Kangerlua, Greenland. Nuup Kangerlua is a complex fjord system that is home to Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, and Kapisillit, a small village inst in the fjord. The fjord is mostly wilderness where hunting, fishing, recreation activities, tourism, transport, and perhaps soon to be iron ore mining take place. The wilderness offers opportunities for increased tourism development. Such development opportunities can cause both positive and negative impacts on the environment, society and the economy. Three key concepts introduced in this thesis for sustainable nature-based coastal tourism development in Nuup Kangerlua include sustainable coastal tourism management, nature-based tourism, and the Broker-Local-Tourist (BLT) model. Three assessments were conducted for Nuup Kangerlua and served as the tools needed in order to develop and manage sustainable tourism. The BLT assessment showed that the actors of the tourism sector in Nuup Kangerlua have a close relationship; most tourists either visit family or are in Nuuk on business. The natural amenity and facility assessment showed that Nuup Kangerlua has many nature-based amenities although the facilities for nature-based tourism activities are modest and should be developed and marketed to meet the tourism needs. The conflict assessment showed that conflicts within the tourism sector, as well as growing conflicts with other coastal sectors, were present. As a result of the assessments, it is recommended to increase tourism marketing in Nuuk. In order to increase the number of tourism sites visited and increase the number of tourists, it is recommended that recreation areas be identified and labeled. Planning for a marine protected area and biosphere reserve should also be commenced. To reduce conflict within the tourism sector and between coastal sectors, it is recommended that nature guidelines and integrated coastal zone management be introduced for Nuup Kangerlua. i I want to dedicate this thesis to the little man who makes me strive to be the best I can be. Elvar !ór, I thank you. I also want to thank my parents for the endless amount of support, love and motivation that they have given me. My dream to move to Greenland could not have been done without their love. ii Table of Contents List of Figures......................................................................................................................v List of Tables.......................................................................................................................vi Acronyms............................................................................................................................vii Acknowledgements...........................................................................................................viii Introduction................................................................................................................ 1 The Field of Coastal and Marine Management ............................................................ 1 Thesis Objectives and Research Questions .................................................................. 3 Thesis Organization .................................................................................................... 5 PART 1. THEORETICAL OVERVIEW AND METHODS.......................................7 1 Theoretical Overview .......................................................................................... 7 1.1 Introduction......................................................................................................... 7 1.2 Sustainable Coastal Tourism Management .......................................................... 7 1.2.1 Tourism Policies and Strategies.........................................................................10 1.2.2 Three Tourism Management Tools....................................................................13 1.3 Nature-based Tourism ....................................................................................... 17 1.4 A Tourism System: BLT model......................................................................... 20 1.5 Literature Review.............................................................................................. 23 2 Research Methods ............................................................................................. 25 2.1 Introduction to Research Methods ..................................................................... 25 2.2 The Study Area ................................................................................................. 25 2.2.1 Selection of the Study Site............................................................................ 25 2.2.2 Selecting the interviewees............................................................................. 27 2.3 Data Collection ................................................................................................. 28 2.3.1 In-Depth Interviews...................................................................................... 28 2.3.2 Secondary Sources Research......................................................................... 31 2.4 Assessments...................................................................................................... 31 2.4.1 BLT Assessment........................................................................................... 31 2.4.2 Natural Amenity and Facility Assessment..................................................... 32 2.4.3 Conflict Assessment ..................................................................................... 33 PART 2. CASE STUDY: NATURE-BASED TOURISM IN NUUP KANGERLUA, GREENLAND .......................................................................................................... 35 3 Background and Context .................................................................................. 35 3.1 Tourism in Greenland........................................................................................ 35 3.1.1 Tourism Today ............................................................................................. 36 3.1.2 Tourism Statistics ......................................................................................... 38 3.2 Nuup Kangerlua ................................................................................................ 41 3.2.1 Definition of the Area................................................................................... 41 3.2.2 Threats to Nature in Nuup Kangerlua............................................................ 43 4 Results................................................................................................................ 45 4.1 BLT Assessment ............................................................................................... 45 4.1.1 The Brokers.................................................................................................. 45 4.1.2 Tourism Activity of the Boat Tour Operators................................................ 50 iii 4.1.3 The Locals.....................................................................................................51 4.1.4 The Tourists ..................................................................................................52 4.1.5 Findings ........................................................................................................52 4.2 Natural Amenity and Facility Assessment..........................................................52 4.2.1 Natural Amenity Assessment.........................................................................52 4.2.2 Facility Assessment.......................................................................................54 4.3 Conflict Assessment...........................................................................................60 4.3.1 Conflicts between Private Sector Brokers......................................................60 4.3.2 Conflicts between the Coastal Sectors ...........................................................61