Northern Tourism, University of Lapland

The Master’s Degree Programme in Northern Tourism offers a comprehensive and international approach to tourism and reflects on the growing global influence and relevance of change in the north. It brings together researchers and students from the northern universities, with an interest to develop responsible tourism futures.Tourism, an industry that is growing in the northern and Arctic regions, is affected by globalization and environmental transformation, but also plays a role in changing the North. For example, tourism can be a component of community development, drawing out creative solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges. On the other hand, tourism can bring unwanted and unintended pressures that have negative outcomes for community structures and the environment.Our research and education on sustainable northern tourism builds knowledge on the challenges facing the northern and Arctic regions and offers tools for the sustainable development of tourism in the North. Through the involvement of the Thematic Network on Northern Tourism, our programme offers education based on the research activities of the leading tourism scholars from Arctic areas. The joint component consists of a field course and of two online courses.