ABSTRACT

The Arctic is physically changing. Its ice sheets are melting fast due to the Arctic’s temperature warming rate being twice that of other parts of the world. This physical change in the Arctic has opened the gate for other associated changes, such as international maritime regulations, rights and obligations regarding the governance of the Arctic shipping industry, and overall governance of Arctic matters. These parallel movements in the Arctic are met by the so-called Asian century era, as claimed by various sectors. Indeed, the pulses of an Asian century are felt unmistakably in Arctic regions and beyond. Tourism in the Arctic, in this sense, can aptly be called the epitome of changing Arctic politics influenced by related sectors and spheres. The chapter opens by locating the nature of Arctic tourism within changing Arctic politics. Next, Asian mobilities and consumption are considered along with the application of Thorstein Veblen’s conspicuous consumption as a lens to understand Asian mobilities consumption. The final section of the chapter provides a description of the ensuing chapters of the book.