COASTAL TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE: RISK PERCEPTIONS OF TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS IN SOUTH AFRICA’S GARDEN ROUTE

Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites

article

Wayde R. PANDY¹  Christian M. ROGERSON¹ 

[1] University of Johannesburg, School of Tourism & Hospitality

关键词: coastal tourism;    climate change;    risk perception;    business adaptation;    local economic development;    South Africa;   

DOI  :  10.30892/gtg.37301-703

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Editura Universitatii din Oradea / University of Oradea Publishing House

【 摘 要 】

Coastal tourism destinations are highly vulnerable to the ramifications of climate change. Research conducted in South Africa has identified the potential losses associated with climate change on beach or coastal environments as one of th e largest concerns for the tourism industry. In addressing the challenge of climate change a critical research issue is advancing our understanding of the risk perceptions of tourism stakeholders. The aim is to investigate risk perceptions of business stakeholders towards climate change impacts in one of South Africa’s leading coastal destinations, the Garden Route District Municipality in Western Cape province. The results are analysed from 30 qualitative interviews conducted with tourism business owners and managers. Four core themes were scrutinised, namely awareness of climate change, perceptions of the potential climate change risks, the prioritisation of climate change as compared to other business risks, and greening and adaptive measures pursued by businesses. Overall, climate change is not considered as a major issue for tourism businesses in the Garden Route especially as compared to the immediate or pressing challenges relating to marketing, infrastructural deficits, government regulations and local human resource development for tourism. This conclusion raises significant concerns for the resilience of coastal tourism destinations and local economic development futures in South Africa.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC-ND