Going against the “floe”: Power relations and cruise tourism development at Icy Strait Point

Cruise destination development presents challenges for communities where an unequal relationship exists between stakeholders. Drawing on stakeholder theory and the blue economy frameworks, this paper explores the intersectionality between destinations, ports and the cruise sector at Icy Strait Point. Icy Strait Point is a Indigenous tourism enterprise facing challenges emerging from tourism development. Challenges identified include potential commodification of Indigenous culture and exclusion from the port area which has significant cultural value for the local Indigenous community. The case study examines how the community is attempting to balance social and economic opportunities with negative impacts emerging from increased development as a cruise destination