Cruise tourism development in a small destination

Abstract

This master thesis looks at the development of cruise tourism in a small destination. Cruise tourism is a rapidly growing industry in both large and small destinations, but since small destinations are affected by cruise tourism development different than large destinations, this study focuses on a small destination, in this case Skjolden. Skjolden has a recent history of cruise tourism. Interviews are taken with residents who are involved with cruise tourism, to find out about their opinions and attitudes and how they experience that cruise tourism affects the destination. The interviews were taken with the main objective of the study in mind: How can a small destination develop cruise tourism in a sustainable way? Several aspects are considered in answering this question, one of which is the general development of (cruise) tourism in a (small) destination; why tourists choose a certain destination, different stages in the development of a destination and important differences between land-based and cruise tourism. Another aspect that is discussed is the impacts that cruise tourism has on a destination. The impacts are divided into economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts. The different impacts are equally important and there is an element of overlap between them. Apart from the impacts discussed in the literature, this master thesis also looks at the attitudes of the residents and how they experience different impacts. Although it is very important to know the impacts of cruise tourism and in what way those can be influenced, it is also important to know who has the power to influence them, so this master thesis briefly looks into that matter as well.