Coastal tourism and climate change : the current narrative and discourse

Abstract

This chapter aims to present new cases that discuss current threats and consequences of climate predictions on coastal tourism destinations. In this context predicted changes and implications for management and policy at such destinations are globally assessed. Local impacts of climate change on coastal tourism infrastructures are evaluated and consequences for tourism development gauged. The validity and practicality of management options to tackle the complex nature and juxtaposition between tourism, climate change and coastal zone management are considered, including an evaluation of management responses and consequent policy choices. Whilst conclusions from the new cases demonstrate a renewed vigour in efforts to combat climate change through numerous mitigation and adaptation techniques progress nevertheless remains patchy. Whilst there is now a growing recognition that coastal protection measures should be linked to integrated management processes, the cases often highlight that stakeholder perceptions and policy implementation measures sometimes ignore such imperatives, often resulting in inappropriate or ill informed management responses. Contemporary integrated management strategies are thus considered and advocated for managing coastal tourism destinations in order to off set pressures from predicted climate change. From an assessment of socio-economic, environmental and political standpoints recommendations are made for innovative mitigation and adaptation measures to ameliorate projected impacts on coastal tourism infrastructure.