Disappearing destinations : current issues challenges and polemics

Abstract

This book, and the chapters within, thus aim to discuss 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. From the analysis of specific tourism case studies, 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 cases presented demonstrate that coastal protection measures should be linked to integrated processes, general results highlight that public perception and policy implementation often ignore such imperatives, often resulting in inappropriate or ill informed management responses. More integrated management strategies are thus considered and advocated for managing coastal tourism destinations to off set pressures from predicted climate change. From an assessment of socio-economic, environmental and political standpoints recommendations are made to ameliorate projected impacts on coastal tourism infrastructure. This in turn may go some way to better understand the uncertainties of climate threats and thus offer better sustainable options for many such destinations.

The book chapters are divided into two key parts. Chapters one to seven explore the theoretical and contextual frameworks of climate change processes and their general relationship with coastal tourism destinations. Such concepts for example evaluate the relationship and juxtaposition between climate change and tourism and explore emerging issues relating to the media , the law and risk assessments. The proceeding chapters are more applied which draw upon a range international case studies from leading academics, professionals and practitioners. These case studies illustrate contemporary issues in the development of coastal tourism destinations, perceived impacts of climate change and review suggested or actioned ameliorative measures and evaluations of these. The case studies based on specific coastal tourism typologies, including established beach resorts, eco tourism destinations, island destinations and adventure/alternative coastal destinations, are drawn from key regions of the world including the Americas, Europe, Australasia and Asia.

The final chapter draws together the key themes and lessons that can be synthesised from such case examples and suggests possible frameworks for the most effective and feasible means of tackling the threats to tourism destinations from climate change.