Arctic Yearbook 2014 | Page 293

293 Arctic Yearbook 2014 Focusing more on other types of tourism (e.g., historical, cultural) may be important for the future of the industry. It is difficult to predict the future of Alaska tourism due to the high number of variables influencing visitor numbers. It is likely that visitors will continue to hunt, fish, and experience nature throughout the state as long as opportunities exist at competitive prices. There could even be a temporary spike in visitations as people hurry to experience such attractions before they are altered by climate change (see Lemelin et al. 2010). However, the high cost of getting to Alaska has been cited as a deterrent to visitation, so global fuel prices could play a large role in future trends (GMA Research Corporation 2011). Canada The Canadian Arctic is a region experiencing rapid social, economic, and environmental change as a result of climate change and from the growth of Northern governments and institutions (Dawson, Stewart, Lemelin and Scott 2010; Government of Canada 2009; IPCC 2007; Johnston 2006). In 2009, the Canadian government launched the Northern Strategy providing a clear vision for promoting a prosperous and stable region in the Canadian Arctic through four priorities: (1) exercising Arctic Sovereignty; (2) promoting social and economic development; (3) protecting the environmental heritage; and (4) improving and devolving northern governance (Government of Canada 2009). In promoting economic developm [