Post-pandemic tourism in Longyearbyen

Tourism in Spitsbergen has become the largest employer and most rapidly growing sector, taking over from coal mining. Longyearbyen is a small urban center but it is the central hub where most tourism passes through. The goal of this study is to present the post-COVID behavior of tourists in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen. Based on a sample of 256 international tourists who visited Longyearbyen in 2022, it was noted that the post-COVID tourists consciously chose this place guided by uniqueness of its nature. The respondents expressed their intention to travel, but factors related to safety and security appeared as key drivers affecting their travel decisions. Protected areas and nature-based tourism are the preferred destinations to visit after the COVID-19. This industry is an important basis for settlement and the number of tourists after COVID-19 is increasing. The study area is particularly vulnerable to environmental threats, the sources and causes of which are often connected with tourism. The presented results are a basis for discussions on the effective environmental tourism policy after COVID-19.