Tourism expert perceptions for evaluating climate change impacts on the Euro‐Mediterranean tourism industry

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to analyse perceptions among European tourism experts specialising in tourism planning regarding the impact that climate change may have on tourism management. Design/methodology/approach -The methodology used was the double convergent Delphi Method. A total of 70 European experts in tourism planning were surveyed to determine their opinions. Two focus groups of experts were organised, first to fine-tune the questionnaire before implementing the Delphi method and, second, to check the results afterwards.Findings -The most noteworthy findings expressed were: climate change has already begun; life in the forthcoming decades will be subject to constant uncertainty; there is a clear perception of responsibility; there is a reluctance to accept repressive taxation but support for renewable energy incentives; and there is a call for responsible growth based on integrated destination management, public-private co-responsibility and the application of mitigation/adaptation measures. Additionally, climate change is already threatening tourist enterprises, and an efficient integrated management system in companies and tourist destinations will be required to cope with its negative effects.Research limitations/implications -The limits of this research are those inherent in the Delphi method itself, which is highly opinion-based. To reduce this, the sample was broadened to include 70 interviewees instead of the 30 traditionally used. Practical implications -The practical implications lie in offering an exploratory vision of climate change from experts' perception; their outlook considerably broadens the field of reflection.Originality/value -Additionally, the value of the paper is to allow discussion on the perception of experts in tourism planning regarding climate change in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

International tourism and climate change

“…Studies with a diverse range of tourism stakeholders in 11 countries have found they were reasonably well informed about the potential impacts of climate change on tourism, but not highly concerned that the impacts would significantly affect their businesses 101,115,116,214–228. The large majority recognized the need for climate change adaptation and were highly optimistic about their capacity to overcome the challenges of climate change.…”

A influência dos fatores externos sobre os destinos turísticos

“…Ademais, o clima é um fator intrínseco a escolha de um DT, pois está associado à imagem do lugar (Goh, 2012), além de ser um elementochave ao estudo dos mercados turísticos (Eugenio-Martin y Campos-Soria, 2009). Essa afirmação pode ser confirmada ao considerar que as características climáticas condicionam o desenho dos calendários de férias, os quais podem ser associados a atividades de lazer, a sensação de segurança, relacionado aos efeitos da saúde, além de ser um elemento base ao bem-estar e satisfação do turista (Valls y Sardá, 2009). Entretanto, os fatores meteorológicos influenciam mais as viagens domésticas, pois as viagens internacionais tendem a ser planejadas com maior antecedência e ser menos sensíveis a estas mudanças (Otero-Giráldez, Álvarez-Díaz y González-Gómez, 2012).…”

“…Vale destacar que, em vista dos efeitos gerados pelos câmbios climáticos surge a necessidade de criar novas regulações para o setor, principalmente referentes ao uso de Investigaciones Turísticas N° 9, enero-junio 2015, 70-98 88 recursos e preservação ambiental (Valls y Sardá, 2009). Tsai y Chen (2010 e (Faulkner, 2000) pontuam particularmente a necessidade de instrumentos de previsão e planos de gestão para situações de risco, como nos casos de terremotos e outros desastres naturais.…”

Environmental and self-sufficiency assessment of the energy metabolism of tourist hubs on Mediterranean Islands: The case of Menorca (Spain)

“…Finally, both public and private stakeholders could be responsible for 79 promoting greater environmental awareness (Valls and Sardà, 2009) 80 about the impacts of tourism energy use by developing environmental 81 education campaigns about the optimization of energy consumption (e.g., 82…”

“…Consequently, the tourism industry may be affected (Valls & Sardà, 2009), making it a less sustainable activity not only environmentally but also economically (Perry, 2006). Hein et al (2009) estimated that current Spanish touristic volume could be reduced between 5 and 14% based on the current estimated temperature increase projections.…”