Pathway evolution of Arctic enclave resorts

This paper examines the rapid proliferation of Arctic-themed enclave resorts in northernmost Sweden and Finland. Drawing upon the concept of opportunity spaces, this qualitative inquiry traces how tourism development pathways unfold at the intersection of institutional environments' strategic selectivity and entrepreneurial agency. Results indicate that a new generation of highly industry-experienced entrepreneurs has seized the opportunities provided by a combination of strong international demand for exclusive Arctic tourism and low interest rates, as well as comprehensive state-backed financial assistance for business development. The enclave resort is advantageous for tourism in remote locations as it overcomes the economic challenges of distance decay and agglomeration deficiencies through a low-volume/high-yield business strategy.