Tourism destinations' vulnerability to climate change: Nature-based tourism in Vava'u, the Kingdom of Tonga. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: van der Veeken, Suzanne; Calgaro, Emma; Munk Klint, Louise; Law, Alexandra; Jiang, Min; de Lacy, Terry; Dominey-Howes, Dale
• Editors: Reis, Arianne C
• Is Part Of: Tourism and hospitality research. Volume 16:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 50
• Page End: 71
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: Vulnerability assessment -- climate change -- adaptation -- Vava'u -- Tonga -- nature-based tourism -- resilience -- island tourism; Tourism -- Management -- Periodicals; Hospitality industry -- Management -- Periodicals; 338.4791068
• DOI: 10.1177/1467358415611068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-3584

Abstract

Tourism plays an important role in economic and human development in the Pacific. These benefits are at risk from the impacts of climate change, threatening the sustainability of the Pacific tourism sector. We assess the vulnerability and resilience of nature-based tourism in Vava'u, Tonga, using the Destination Sustainability Framework ofCalgaro (2014) modified for a climate change focus. Our empirical assessment indicates that the following factors increase vulnerability levels in Vava'u: strong seasonality, dependency on air access, remoteness, limited connectivity of Vava'u from national decision makers and limited human and financial resources. Resilience levels in Vava'u are heightened by a high awareness of climate change, the resilient nature of Tongans and strong family and social networks. In conclusion, we recommend a set of adaptation strategies to further improve resilience levels, namely improving climate change education, increasing product and market diversification, strengthening institutional capacities and mainstreaming adaptation in national policies.