Transcript Slide 1

Climate Change and
Tourism
David Harrison
School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
14th May 2009
Overview
1. Why should we worry?
2. Tourism Issues
supply side
demand side
3. Adaptation?
September 22, 2006
Mass tourism and climate change could lead to
destruction of world's wonders
By Martin Hickman
SE Spain to harbour malaria
•Everglades, Florida: increased frequency of hurricanes
•Maldives: most of it to be submerged
•Cologne Cathedral, Germany: ruined by vehicle pollution
•Great Barrier Reef: at risk because of cruise ships
•Goa, India: increased numbers of cyclones
•Athens, Greece: rise in summer temperatures to 40 degrees
centigrade
•Crete, Greece: desertification
•Tuscany, Italy: unbearable heat and more deaths
•UK and Germany: by 2080, climate better than in Mediterranean
Costs of climate change to Pacific Islands: 1950-2004
No.
Reported fatalities
Population
affected
Reported losses US $ m
Windstorms
157
1.380
2,496,808
$5,903.9
Droughts
10
0
629,580
$137.0
Floods
8
40
246,644
$94.8
Earthquakes
17
53
22,254
$330.6
Others
15
274
21,520 +
$60.0
Melanesia
110
1,130
2,115,332
$1,654
Polynesia
71
494
1,041,012
$1,797.4
Micronesia
26
123
260,662
$3,074.0
$6,526.3
Total Pacific
207
Source: Becken, 2007
1,747
3,417,006
TOURISM ISSUES
• Pacific islands are highly dependent on the sea and
marine resources, including tourism.
• tourism is a key driver of development throughout the
region. By 2010 could be contributing US $2 billion to
the region.
• especially important in Fiji: 40% of region’s tourists; 37%
of all exports; 30% of GDP; 45,000 jobs.
• important for other island states (Cook Islands, Samoa)
and great potential for others;
• At same time, because of their limited resources, island
states can be dependent on tourism. If it is
threatened….
SUPPLY SIDE
• air travel contributes to CO2 emissions – especially long-haul
journeys (over 3000 km) - and many tourists to Fiji are long-haul!
• Within the destination, too, more CO2 emissions occur
Energy use by different transport
modes (2002, Fiji)
12%
25%
Bus
Boat
Car
5%
Plane
58%
Source: Becken, 2007
IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES
Increases in number and intensity of tropical cyclones lead to coastal
erosion from storm surges, waves, etc. This affects ‘the tourist
product’ by threatening investment and damaging natural attractions
Inter-Continental at Natadola, Fiji: $240 million plus investment
Impact on coral reefs
Increased temperature
increased stress on reef
coral bleaching
possible disease and/or death of corals
Loss of ‘attraction’
Demand side
• tourism is safety-sensitive
• publicity and subsequent decline in
demand
e.g. Nadi floods of January 2009.
• insurance claims increase costs of
holidays for supplier and tourist.
• Competition is wide: not just islands!
– Currently, other islands: Mauritius, Seychelles,
SE Asia….. What will happen to them with
global warming?
– Later? newly-warmed Northern hemisphere
destinations, e.g. UK? New sun, sea and
sand destinations?
Answers?
adaptation
greater focus on sustainability
stakeholder co-operation
carbon-neutral buildings….
Source: Becken 2007
but seriously……
In-house initiatives
International Hotel Environment Initiative
Environmentally-friendly disposal of waste water, solid waste and garbage
Water conservation, storage and flood controls
Is there any recycling?
Use of solar power?
Assistance to villages and other residents?
How much of this is a society-wide problem?
Sea walls: an example from Fiji’ Coral
Coast
Protecting coral reefs
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Marine Protected Areas and National Coral
Reef Action Strategy
Control of pollution
No anchoring of boats
Dive instructor education
Tourist education and supervision
Coral replanting
reef walking ????
shark and fish-feeding?
Stakeholder co-operation
increased awareness for locals and tourists
(bring interpretation into the product)
institutional co-operation (not just SPREP,
UNEP, SOPAC, SPC etc) to include hotels and
other services.
What is the tourism industry doing now?
To conclude…
• Islands are especially vulnerable to climate change
• Travel and tourism are both a cause of effect of climate
change
• Climate change has implications for both the demand
and supply side
• Small islands can perhaps do little about prevention (?)
but can do something (thus improving their ‘product’) and
can adapt.
• Tourism could lead the way but cannot do it on its own!
REFERENCES
Becken, S. and Hay, J.E. (2007) Tourism and Climate Change: Risks and
Opportunities. Clevedon: Channel View.
Hall, C.M. and Higham, J. (eds. (2005 Tourism, Recreation and Climate
Change. Clevedon: Channel View.
UNWTO (2007) Climate Change and Tourism: Responding to Global
Challenges. Advanced Summary, October 2007. Madrid: UNWTO
Viner, D. ed. (2006) Special Issue: Tourism and Climate Change. Journal of
Sustainable Tourism. 14 (4)
Wall, G. and Badke, C. (1994) Tourism and Climate Change: an international
perspective. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 2 (4): 193-203.
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