Tourism

Putin approves North Pole base and additional Arctic projects by decree

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin ordered by decree on 15 December the construction of a non-permanent ice base at the North Pole.

“Arctic Watch” Ceases Tourist Operations

Nunavut / Canada – Arctic Watch, one of the northernmost tourism operations in the world, is permanently discontinuing all tourist activities after 25 years.

From Berlin to Svalbard – The History of the Ny-Ålesund Locomotive

This locomotive tells a story of hard labor, technical challenges, and the human determination to extract resources even under the most extreme conditions.

Dani Arnold achieves the first winter ascent of the Tarantellen in Svalbard

Swiss extreme mountaineer Dani Arnold has written a new chapter in his adventure career with an extraordinary winter ascent.

Swiss Seed Samples for the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard

Svalbard – On October 21, 2025, the Global Seed Vault on Svalbard was opened once again. More than 21,000 new samples from 20 international gene banks made their way into the frozen mountain above the airport of Longyearbyen.

The Polar Retrospective - Subantarctic Visitor Changes, a 66-Year-Old Mystery Solved, and a Warning for Reindeer

Launch of New South Georgia Entry Permit System Halted

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands had planned to implement a new ETA system for visitors but had to delay these plans now.

More and more tourists are flocking to Antarctica. Let’s stop it from being loved to death

Professors Darla Hatton MacDonald and Elizabeth Leane explain how new market based tools can help to prevent overtourism in Antarctica in this article provided by The Conversation.

"Is there a lack of awareness of the risks associated with outdoor activity?"

The absence of an insurance offer adapted to polar operators linked to France is felt by professionals in the sector who responded to a survey by the Chaire Enjeux Polaires.

Tourism in Greenland: a fragile balance, an update after the elections

In an article for Polar Journal AG, Marie-Noëlle Rimaud advocates "finding a way out from the top, through intelligence". The lecturer and researcher in tourism economics and management calls for the development of a win-win strategy between foreign investors in the tourism sector and the island's inhabitants, who see the importance of this sector for the future of their economy.

Adult-Themed Cruise to Antarctica: Theme Park Tourism or Isolated Incident?

An unusual event in Antarctic tourism unfolded in January 2025, prompting discussions about the evolving nature of travel to this unique region.

Managing the route, from Australia to Greenland’s Arctic Circle Trail

Hiking in the magnificent Greenlandic backcountry as your job? For many, this may seem like the ultimate fantasy, but for Lisa Germany it is a professional reality. Interview.

Marie-Noëlle Rimaud, islander, polar explorer and pioneer

Polar tourism in Greenland is not a subject frequently addressed in French economic and social sciences. Yet Marie-Noëlle Rimaud is now able to capture what was once just over the horizon, and observe it through her own unique lens.

"In the Arctic, there are no small accidents"

The challenges of maritime safety in polar zones were discussed with sailors, instructors and researchers in Brest during Sea Tech Week. The workshop was organized by Anne Choquet, a lawyer specializing in polar areas, and Roberto Rivas Hermann, a researcher at the Center for Northern Logistics, who came to Brest from Bodo, Norway, for a residency.

Podcast Radio Arctic - Tourism Trajectories

The Arctic has become an increasingly popular travel destination in recent years. In the new podcast, Radio Arctic discusses the future of tourism in the Arctic with various experts.

In Antarctica, this Slovenian mountaineer finally found a job that will keep him coming back

Aleš Česen is a celebrated mountaineer but stresses that no special training is required to work in Antarctica.

The Polar Retrospective - Antarctic awakening

When regulation is lacking and demand growing, whales should not pay the bill

The attraction and curiosity about whales can be mutual if all the conditions are met. But when economic attraction and a lack of regulation combine, the whale-watching industry can turn into a hunt that is disrespectful of the sensibilities of these marine mammals.

Small passenger vessel sinks in South Greenland – concern about oil pollution

The passenger ship Adolf Jensen ran aground and sank off Nanortalik in southern Greenland last week. All passengers and crew members managed to evacuate, but there are concerns about a possible leak of engine oil and diesel.

The Polar Retrospective - Alaska, arctic region of contrasts

In the opinion of the editor-in-chief, the largest and northernmost state of the USA is fascinating in its diversity, but it also shows some contrasts in the relationship between the US and the Arctic.

Christiane Drieux - The northernmost friendship in the world

An encounter in north-west Greenland throws into question the plans of a sportswoman and traveller who embarks on a profound relationship with the Inughuit people.

Expedition cruise ship organization visited Ilulissat to ease increasing tensions

Arctic cruise ship operators have faced headwinds in Greenland this summer, but AECO, an organization representing their interests, hopes that a three-day visit last week will be the start of a needed dialogue.

How a professional bicycle race is showcasing Norway’s Arctic landscapes

The four-stage-long Arctic Race of Norway finished with an uphill sprint in Bodø yesterday.

Cross-country skiing in Antarctica with Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), a leading expedition provider, has announced that it will be organizing cross-country skiing races at Union Glacier for the first time in the upcoming Antarctic season.

Courtesy exercises on the edge of the Arctic pack ice

The French, Danish and Icelandic navies performed search and rescue maneuvers at sea with the most powerful icebreaker in the NATO zone, a tourist liner flying the flag of the French islands of Wallis and Futuna.

Towards a regulation of Antarctic tourism

The growth of tourism in Antarctica is not without concern for the Treaty's Consultative Parties. In a press release issued at the end of the Kochi meetings, its Secretariat announced its intention to provide a better framework for this activity. But views still differ widely.

The Polar Retrospective - Arctic tourism like hiking in the polar night

Tourism in Arctic regions is increasingly at the center of a debate between politics, science and industry, and searching for solutions seems like a hike in the polar night.

Nuuk Airport postpones terminal opening

It is not unusual for complex buildings such as airports to occasionally experience delays. However, it is special if the commissioning is canceled just on the evening before.

New Svalbard report: Stronger national control by Norway and fewer ships

In the recently published new white paper on Svalbard, the Norwegian government announces, among other things, its intention to strengthen national control in many areas of society.

Antarctica - Overcapacity leaves its first traces

The "Hanseatic Spirit" of the German shipping company Hapag Lloyd Cruises was actually supposed to sail to Antarctica several times this coming winter. This will now come to nothing.

Greenland’s new tourism law could render some areas “no-go zones”

The new law is currently under public consultations, so tour operators and other stakeholders are wary to discuss it publicly.

Environmentalists demand regulations for Antarctic tourism

In view of a sharp increase in tourism in the Antarctic region, which is severely affected by climate change, environmental protection organizations are calling for countermeasures.

CNFRAA Science Days, pursuing the best possible polar science

Representatives of all the disciplines involved in French-speaking polar science met in Strasbourg to discuss and present their research projects. The French National Committee for Antarctic and Arctic Research added logistics and interactions with tourism to its list of concerns.

Ultima Antarctic Expeditions Unveils Exclusive 250 guests limit for 2024-2025 Season

Polar marathons are on the rise

The mindset of the Arctic and Antarctic marathon runners seems to be: “if I have to run 42 kilometers, it may as well be in beautiful surroundings,” a marathon organizer tells Polar Journal.

Chilean lawyers explore regulations in Antarctica

Chilean lawyers have been sent to Antarctica to study the possibility of harmonising legislation in this region in terms of standards and biosafety linked to the introduction of avian flu and its consequences for wildlife and human activities.

How can we reinvent polar research in France?

This week in Brest, a meeting of researchers shows that the scientific community is rethinking its approach to polar issues.

Signs of stress visible in the infrared

How can we distinguish between calls of recognition and those of distress in a dense penguin breeding colony? The answer lies in the infrared radiation of these animals.

Miki cooks Inuit food on cruise ships to teach passengers about his culture

Musk ox, reindeer and soon, perhaps, seal are among the dishes that start onboard dialogues about sustainability and cultural differences.

Difficult working conditions for foreign guides in Lapland

Lack of rest time, training and equipment, working conditions can be difficult for foreign guides working in Lapland.

Schumann-Reisen discontinues Arctic and Antarctic tours

"Traveling to the Poles is a very special and fascinating experience. Our guests who wanted to experience this with us regret that we no longer offer these trips."

Ice Alaska - Art made of ice

The World Ice Art Championships have been held in Fairbanks for over 30 years. The event is organized by the non-profit organization Ice Alaska.

Arctic Circle Trail on its way to a tax?

Greenland Arctic Circle Trail attracts more and more visitors every year. The number of visitors is not without stakes for a hike that could become chargeable.

New penguin colony discovered near the Antarctic peninsula

Viking Ocean Cruises announced that its expedition team has made the discovery of a new, previously unknown chinstrap penguin colony on Díaz Rock in Antarctica.

The European Union sets up in Nuuk

On a trip to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, the European Commission's highest representative puts the Arctic back on the political agenda.

Antarctica provides at least $276 billion a year in economic benefits to the world

A new study published in Nature examines the economic value of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean to the global economy.

Environment over tourism on Svalbard: New rules from January 2025

The Norwegian government has adopted stricter environmental regulations on Svalbard, which will come into effect on January 1, 2025, with significant consequences for tourism.

Grands Espaces takes to the air

Grands Espaces is known for expeditions with small yachts and ships to the polar regions. Now an airship is set to offer customers new adventures.