Disappearing destinations : consequences of climate change : contemporary responses for adapting to change at tourism destinations

Abstract

A 2006 report by the UK based Churchill Insurance group highlighted that some of the world's most famous tourist attractions, such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Italy's Amalfi coast, could be closed to visitors within a few years because of worries about environmental damage and climate change. The report suggested that some destinations could be permanently closed to tourists by 2020 or face severe restrictions on visitor numbers and/or sharp increases in admission prices. The report warned that within the next fifty years or so, destinations such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Taj coral reef in the Maldives, Goa’s coast in India, Florida's Everglades and Croatia's Dalmatian coastline, to name but a few, could be severely damaged, in turn restricting tourism access and in some cases forcing closure of such destinations (Smithers, 2006). Increasingly such sentiments have, more recently been evaluated by authors such as Jones and Philips (2011) in their recent assessment of climate change impacts on global coastal tourism destinations.

From such evidence it seems increasingly apparent that the development of tourism destinations, particularly associated with beach and coastlines, are potentially under increasing threats. With current predictions of climate change, incidents of extreme climate phenomena and sea level rise, the socio-economic and environmental well being of such destinations in the short term remains, at best, uncertain and in the longer term potentially catastrophic. It is the consequences of such phenomena which will ultimately impact upon the long term future of coastal tourism destinations and, of course, their continued survival. With respect to such, it is becoming increasingly important to identify management strategies that protect tourism infrastructure and coastal resources, especially in areas significantly reliant on the tourism industry for their economy.

This paper will discuss contemporary threats to, and consequences of, current climate predictions and impacts upon predicted tourism growth and asses predicted changes and implications for management and policy options for threatened destinations. From recent research, local impacts of erosion on coastal tourism development are evaluated and consequences for tourism development outlined. The validity and practicality of management options to tackle the complex nature and juxtaposition between tourism growth, climate change and tourism destination management are considered, including an evaluation of management responses and consequent policy options and choices. The research methodology is primarily focussed upon an evaluation of case studies from different regions of the world. These will be used to highlight and illustrate particular sensitive issues and points for contention. Conclusions from the research will aim to demonstrate and raise debate on how coastal protection measures should be linked to stronger strategic policy responses. In this respect the paper aims to highlight that public perception and policy implementation often ignore this imperative, resulting in inappropriate or weak management responses. In conclusion strategic and integrated management strategies are considered and advocated for managing coastal tourism destinations and for addressing increasing demands from the industry. More lateral options regarding coastal destinations and their relationship with associated hinterlands, which can often provide new opportunities for sustained tourism development, are also considered.