Resilience, belonging, and tourism in Nain, Nunatsiavut

Abstract

As part of a research project examining tourism vulnerability and resilience in the Arctic, we assessed the interactions between climate change and tourism in Canadian Arctic communities. In this article, we focus on the capacity for adaptation by analysing interviews from Nain, Nunatsiavut, in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. While many local residents were excited about the new designation of their community as a gateway to the Torngat Mountains National Park of Canada, there was also some dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the new park, such as a lack of local employment opportunities. Some participants were optimistic about the untapped tourism potential (from cruise tourism to ecotourism with local guides), while others raised concerns. Considering that tourism is just beginning in Nunatsiavut, we conclude that adaptation strategies should emphasise education, aim to inform residents and engage them in local and regional initiatives.