Experiencing Svalbard sustainably? Reflecting on what we can learn about polar cruise tourism from the SEES expedition

This report explores tensions embedded in the concept of sustainable polar cruise tourism in Svalbard.What makes an experience sustainable? Can polar cruise tourism in the High Arctic ever be sustainable? If so, under what conditions? These questions guide this report as it explores tensions embedded in the concept of ‘sustainable polar cruise tourism’. These matters are of particular importance in Svalbard, with a rapidly developing tourism sector being an important part of the Svalbard economy.