Here Today, Gone Tomorrow? Cultural and Religious Embeddedness of Climate Change Risk Perception

Abstract

“The very likely contribution of mean sea level rise to increased extreme coastal high water levels, coupled with the likely increase in tropical cyclone maximum wind speed”1 are major climate change risks facing small island destinations. Due to their limited resources, small island destinations often rely on tourism for their economic survival. This is manifest in tourism’s contribution to GDP in island destinations which are significantly higher than advanced and diversified economies. For instance, it is noted that tourism’s contribution to GDP in island destinations accounts for up to 25%, whereas in advanced economies tourism accounts for only 2% of GDP.2 Tourism products in island destinations often surround the “3S” concepts (Sun – Sea – Sand). These three components are directly connected to climate conditions. Variability and changes in these three components influence both the demand and supply side of tourism.3