Tourism



In the South Pacific alone, total annual tourism revenue exceeded $500 million in 2005 [2]. International tourism receipts accounted for half of GDP in the Cook Islands and over 67% in Palau [12]. In 2001, tourism accounted for 21.5% of Hawaii’s gross state product [14]. In 2006, it generated $12.4 billion for the Hawaii state, with a total of 7,561,311 visitors [11]. Tourism also generates a substantial part of GDP in Fiji, French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Samoa and Vanuatu [2].


Climate and environmental conditions are principle resources for tourism [10, 13]. In many Pacific Island countries, tourism is a significant component of the economies and a primary source of foreign exchange earnings. Climate-induced environmental changes will have profound effects on tourism industry in the Pacific, significantly impacting local economies. The direct and indirect impacts of climate change on tourism will vary greatly with location [3, 4].  

The main impacts include:

  • reduced fresh water availability because of drought and salt water intrusion related to rising sea levels;

  • increasing sea surface water and air temperatures causing unfavorable climate of some destinations [4];

  • biodiversity loss and degraded ecosystems, especially coral reefs;

  • altered agricultural production that threaten food availability;

  • increased natural hazards, including cyclones, flooding and drought;

  • beach erosion and coastal inundation from sea level rise and storm surges [6], particularly threatening for low-lying or atoll islands such as Tuvalu, Kiribati and the Marshalls [4];

  • damage to coastal infrastructure and facilities that support the industry [5];

  • reduced landscape aesthetic and amenity value [7];

  • damaged island image as a safe and attractive destination;

  • interruption of transportation and communications systems;

  • threats to tourists’ safety;

  • increasing incidence of vector-borne diseases (e.g., dengue, malaria) and other impacts on public health; and,

  • potential increase of invasive species, posing a threat to the viability of the ecosystems the industry depends on.

Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, one of the most visited natural attractions on Oahu, Hawaii. Source: Cheryl Anderson.


Studies have examined the climate change risk appraisal of tourism operators and consistently found low awareness of climate change and little evidence of long-term strategic planning in anticipation of future changes in climate [10]. The tourism sector has also received less attention than some other economic sectors in government climate change assessments and is not explicitly addressed in many adaptation frameworks [10]. Consequently, adaptation in the tourism industry and government decision-making is crucially needed. There is also a need to bridge a knowledge gap on tourism and climate change with respect to adaptation and mitigation in the Pacific island states. At the same time, it is necessary to raise awareness and educate both tourism practitioners and visitors on how climate change and tourism interact and what could be undertaken to mitigate the negative effects and adapt at all levels involved in tourism planning, managing, and operating. Sustainable tourism development that integrates both mitigation and adaptation to climate change and is compatible with broader ecology and socioeconomic environment has been suggested as a way to address the future challenges [1, 10, 4].

  
Scuba diving, one of the most popular activities in the tourism industry of the Pacific. Source: GBRMPA

During the El Niño event of 1998/1999, near-surface temperatures in the coastal waters of Palau exceeded 30 degree Celsius from June through November, 1998. This resulted in a massive coral bleaching event that killed one-third of Palau’s reefs. While no species became locally extinct, some populations declined to as much as 99% below pre-bleaching levels. The associated economic loss in Palau was estimated at US$91 million, partly because of a 9% drop in annual tourism revenues [5].


Example of mitigation measures include:

  • improve or switch to transport technology with less emissions [10];

  • reduce energy use and use renewable energy sources [10, 1];

  • sustainable tourism development and management that promote conservation of the environmental resources;

  • limit use and access to resources with permits and fees [8];

  • raise awareness and educate among tourism operators and tourists to support better environmental practices [10].

BOf the 5% of the global total of CO2 emissions contributed by tourism, transport generates around 75%. The radiative forcing specific to transport ranges from 82% to 90%, with air transport alone accounting for 54% to 75% of the total [10].


Examples of adaptation measures include:

  • weather forecasting and early warning systems for tourism operators;

  • coastal management plan and set-backs [10, 1];

  • cyclone-proof building design and structure [10, 1];

  • water conservation [10, 1]

    • recycle water

    • desalination plants

    • collection of rain water;

  • pollution control, especially on sewage.

  • pactices that support sustainable tourism (see web links)

Because the environment is the livelihood for the people of Palau, there is growing concern over introduced and invasive species in sensitive ecosystems, such as Jellyfish Lake. With the realization that tourists may bring non-endemic species into sensitive areas, Koror State is taking additional measures to educate tourists and monitor the equipment they take into sensitive areas. By requiring permits to visit the Rock Islands and implementing extra fees to see Jellyfish Lake, these environmental monitoring efforts are being supported to balance protection of the natural environments with tourism activities that sustain Palau’s economy [8].

Waikiki, on the south shore of Oahu, Hawaii, one of the best known beaches in the world.

References


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