Coastal Tourism Sustainability And Climate Change In The Caribbean Volume I

The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, and its tourism attractions and infrastructure and three-quarters of its people are concentrated along its coastlines. While the Caribbean contributes to less than 1 percent of global carbon emissions, its beaches and hotels are among the most vulnerable to climate impacts, including increasingly fierce and frequent hurricanes, sea-level rise, and loss of coral and mangroves. This book details many techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate impacts and demonstrates how socially and environmentally responsible companies are proving resilient in coping with climate change.

This second volume on coastal tourism and climate change in the Caribbean examines three key supporting sectors: golf, local agriculture and cuisine, and aviation. Today, climate change is propelling accelerated reforms in these three sectors. Initiatives to link local agriculture to tourism are enriching visitor experiences and revitalizing local crops and cuisine, while reducing the carbon impact-the food print-from agricultural imports. Similarly, golf certification programs are providing templates for constructing and operating courses with smaller carbon footprints. In aviation, as well, virtually all international airlines are testing non-fossil fuel alternatives, and a nascent but growing green airport movement is reducing aviation's carbon footprint and improving its resilience. As the volume concludes, coastal tourism in the Caribbean is today addressing two intertwined concerns and opportunities: Òthe impacts of climate change and imperative of responsible tourism.Ó

The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, with an average of 50 million visitors a year. Most of its tourism infrastructure, including its 2,600 hotels as well as nearly three-quarters of its people, are concentrated along its coastlines. While the Caribbean island nations contribute less than 1 percent of carbon emissions to global climate change, they are among the most vulnerable to its impacts, including increasingly fierce and frequent hurricanes, sea level rise, hotter temperatures, and loss of coral and mangroves. Yet many vacationers, home owners, governments, and tourism developers and operators fail to fully grasp the realities of climate change. Two truths run through the essays and case studies in this edited volume: one, many of these environmental problems predate but are exacerbated by climate change, and two, many of the techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate change are part of the tool kit of sustainable tourism that has been honed over recent decades. Therefore, companies and coastal destinations adhering to the socially and environmentally sustainable practices such as beach setbacks, soft engineering, renewable energy, water recycling and reduction, and "green" architecture are likely to be more resilient in coping with climate change. Tourism master planning and building today requires a new normal that incorporates present risks and climate change protections using smart planning, sustainable design, and responsible construction

As the nations of the Caribbean respond to and prepare for climate change, tourism has the potential to both worsen and mitigate these effects. In this book we look at marine tourism and its connection with ocean health, fisheries, and critical ecosystems, including coral reefs. We consider the role that marine protected areas can play in preserving reefs and other ecosystems, leading to greater resilience in the face of climate change. Finally, we look at how the tourism industry is responding to the threat of climate change, using its economic and social capital to foster positive change in the Caribbean and other parts of the world. While the situation is clearly urgent, we hope this volume provides readers with some optimism, as well as tangible ideas for using tourism to help mitigate the impending effects of climate change on marine ecosystems and economies.

The Caribbean is the most tourism-dependent region in the world, with an average of 50 million visitors a year. Most of its tourism infrastructure, including its 2,600 hotels as well as nearly three-quarters of its people, are concentrated along its coastlines. While the Caribbean island nations contribute less than 1 percent of carbon emissions to global climate change, they are among the most vulnerable to its impacts, including increasingly fierce and frequent hurricanes, sea level rise, hotter temperatures, and loss of coral and mangroves. Yet many vacationers, home owners, governments, and tourism developers and operators fail to fully grasp the realities of climate change. Two truths run through the essays and case studies in this edited volume: one, many of these environmental problems predate but are exacerbated by climate change, and two, many of the techniques for mitigating and adapting to climate change are part of the tool kit of sustainable tourism that has been honed over recent decades. Therefore, companies and coastal destinations adhering to the socially and environmentally sustainable practices such as beach setbacks, soft engineering, renewable energy, water recycling and reduction, and "green" architecture are likely to be more resilient in coping with climate change. Tourism master planning and building today requires a new normal that incorporates present risks and climate change protections using smart planning, sustainable design, and responsible construction

As the nations of the Caribbean respond to the emerging effects of climate change and prepare for those to come, tourism has the potential to either worsen or mitigate these impacts. In this book we look specifically at marine recreation and how its various sectors—ranging from surfing, diving and sport fishing, to yacht­ing and cruise ships—are coping with and preparing for climate change in the Caribbean. Through essays and case studies by scientists, business leaders, government and NGO staff, and others, we show that tourism could lead the way in reducing human-induced climate impacts, protecting and restoring crucial ecosystems and habitats, and building sustainable futures for the people of the Caribbean and beyond.

Building upon the book Disappearing Destinations (Jones and Phillips 2010) and its conclusion that promoted the need to recognize problems, meet expectations and manage solutions Global Climate Change and Coastal Tourism explores current threats to, and consequences of, climate change on existing tourism coastal destinations. Part 1 of the book provides a theoretical platform and addresses topics such as sustainability, tourism impacts, governance trade and innovation and how the media addresses climate change and tourism. It also assesses management and policy options for the future sustainability of threatened tourism coastal destinations. Part 2 presents case studies from all regions of the world (Europe, The Americas, Asia, Africa and Australasia) which synthesise findings to make recommendations that can be used to promote strategies that ameliorate projected impacts of climate change on coastal tourism infrastructure and in turn promote the future sustainability of coastal tourism destinations. This is a timely and informative text with appeal to researchers, undergraduate and post graduate students of tourism management, tourism planning, sustainable tourism development and leisure management, coastal tourism/management, environmental management/planning, geography, coastal zone management or climate change studies.

COVID-19 put a temporary stop to the crisis of overtourism. Yet there is no question that travel will resume; the only question is, when it does, what will it look like? Overtourism: Lessons for a Better Future charts a path toward tourism that is truly sustainable, focusing on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and prosperity. This practical book examines the causes and effects of overtourism before turning to emerging management strategies. Visitor education, traffic planning, and redirection to lesser known sites are among the measures that can protect the economic benefit of tourism without overwhelming local communities. As tourism revives around the world, these innovations will guide government agencies, parks officials, site managers, civic groups, environmental NGOs, tourism operators, and others with a stake in protecting our most iconic places.