Alaska Wilderness Recreation & Tourism Association (AWRTA)
"Sustainable Tourism in the Arctic: LINKS"
The LINKS – short for Linking Tourism and Conservation in the Arctic – will certify arctic tourism businesses that operate in environmentally, socially and economically responsible ways. The LINKS project also includes an important capacity building component for businesses which may include training, technical assistance and marketing opportunities for potential eco and adventure travelers.
Initially a join initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Arctic Programme, the State of Alaska, Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED), and AWRTA, LINKS is now an official project of the Arctic Council. The Arctic Council is a high level inter-governmental forum including eight arctic countries and indigenous peoples’ organizations. For the purposes of LINKS, the state of Alaska is included as part of the Arctic region.
This sustainable tourism project for the Arctic will highlight the potential economic opportunity and benefits that tourism can provide local communities and the environment. However, LINKS also recognizes tourism development and growth comes at the price of many local peoples and communities. The certification portion of the LINKS initiative will help ensure best practices among tourism businesses and visitors.