Climate change- A growing threat to global tourism? Here’s why you need to know

Thursday, October 3, 2024

As climate change intensifies, tourism-dependent communities worldwide are facing unprecedented challenges. Rising sea levels, increasingly powerful hurricanes, and other climate-related hazards are wreaking havoc on cherished travel destinations, leading to significant economic and safety concerns.

Erin Seekamp, a professor at NC State and director of the Coastal Resilience and Sustainability Initiative, experienced these challenges firsthand during her family trip to Holden Beach, North Carolina, in August 2020.

Planned to celebrate her parents’ 50th anniversary, the vacation was derailed when Hurricane Isaias threatened the area, forcing officials to cancel all rentals before the storm made landfall. The Category 1 hurricane ultimately caused over $40 million in damages to Holden Beach alone.

“It’s becoming increasingly risky to travel to destinations highly exposed to these climate stressors,” Seekamp explained.

“You not only risk losing a lot of money if your trip is delayed or canceled, but you also risk danger if there’s no way to leave the area.”

The frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, are rising due to climate change.

Seekamp’s research shows that while some travelers maintain strong emotional bonds—known as “place attachments”—to vulnerable destinations like the Outer Banks, this attachment does not guarantee that they will follow through with their plans in the face of natural hazards.

A significant percentage of visitors have indicated that they would choose alternative locations if faced with disruptions caused by climate change.

Studies reveal that approximately 48% of Outer Banks visitors would opt for another beach destination if they could not access the area, and 37% would consider postponing their trips altogether.

This uncertainty poses a substantial threat to the economic stability of communities that rely on tourism for revenue.

Seekamp emphasizes that many destinations currently make “bounce-back” decisions, focusing on recovery without addressing long-term sustainability.

To combat this trend, she advocates for “bounce-forward” strategies that prioritize sustainable economic, environmental, and social outcomes.

These may include elevating buildings to prevent flooding and developing renewable energy sources to mitigate power outages during storms.

Coastal erosion has already caused substantial property loss, with reports of unoccupied homes collapsing along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.

Seekamp’s ongoing work aims to empower these communities by fostering discussions about climate adaptation strategies and leveraging community resources for resilience.

A collaborative initiative led by Seekamp and other researchers has resulted in the creation of a virtual community-based disaster preparedness hub for the vulnerable communities of Ocracoke and Hatteras.

This platform aims to provide critical information and support during recovery from tropical storms, reducing the risk of exploitation from unvetted contractors and service providers post-disaster.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has invested heavily in maintaining vulnerable infrastructure like Highway 12, which serves as a lifeline for access to these isolated communities.

However, the continual threat of flooding raises questions about the long-term viability of such investments.

Seekamp and her colleagues are now exploring innovative adaptation strategies that include potentially allowing sections of vulnerable islands to revert to natural landscapes by removing infrastructure.

This shift could be crucial in developing more effective flood mitigation tactics.

To bolster these efforts, Seekamp suggests that tourism-dependent communities consider asking visitors to contribute financially to climate adaptation projects.

Preliminary research indicates that tourists with strong place attachments are often willing to support such initiatives,

which could unlock additional funding opportunities from state and federal agencies.

As climate change continues to reshape the landscape of global tourism, the onus lies on both communities and travelers to advocate for sustainable practices and policies that protect cherished destinations for future generations.

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