Tourism and Climate Workshop Sponsored by NOAACIRESClimate Diagnostics Center

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Tourism and Climate WorkshopSponsored
byNOAA/CIRES/Climate Diagnostics Center the
Center for Sustainable Tourism
National Center for Atmospheric ResearchJanuary
23-24, 2007. Patrick Long, Leeds School of
Business
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(No Transcript)
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The Colorado Plateau contains

• Silence, beauty, vastness, solitude, challenge,
  wonder, mystery, unspoiled natural systems -- a
  link with our past which spirals through eons of
  geologic time to the beginning of life on earth.

http//www.kaibab.org/gct/coloplat.htm
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The Colorado Plateau . . .

• Named by explorer John Wesley Powell
• Covers a land area of 130,000 sq. miles
• A distinct land mass of continental crust over
  500 million years old
• 50 major side canyon systems--tributaries to the
  Colorado and Green rivers
• Cowboy Cavedung of extinct camel, mammoth and
  sloth
• Each layer of rock represents an earlier epoch
  on the calendar of geological time

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The Colorado Plateau . . .

• 12,000 years of human occupation
• Mysterious disappearance of the Anasazi (1300
  A.D.)
• Granaries, pit-houses, cliffhouses, kivas,
  watchtowersentire cities of stone
• 110 sites identified by NPS as classic displays
  of geological phenomena
• 25 major plateaus, hundreds of mesas, thousands
  of buttes, domes, towers monuments, temples,
  spires
• 25 national parks, monuments, recreational areas
  and national landmarks
• "the vast tourism potential of this region offers
  the promise of a stable, long term growth
  industry

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Major Themes for Today . . .

• Significance of tourism to local communities
• Economic vitality and sustainability
• General quality of community living
• Significance of climate on tourism
• Type of offerings
• Consistency of product/service
• Quality of the experience

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The Business of Tourism

• In Colorado . . .
• Southwest 42 of all businesses are tourism
• Western Slope 31
• Mountain region 56
• 94 of tourism businesses employ
• 72 employ

Colorado Department of Labor and
Employment. Insight The American West. Daily
Camera 11//22/1998
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Tourism jobs are very important . . .

• Seasonal and part-time tourism jobs are critical
  to filling the employment needs of high school
  and college students, retired individuals or
  couples, the undereducated or underemployed,
  residents needing to supplement household income,
  and people consciously choosing to work in a
  tourism area to pursue their chosen lifestyle.

Tourism Makes a Difference in Rural
Colorado. Insight The American West. Daily
Camera 11//22/1998
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What would be lost?

• Without tourism, many community amenities,
  including quality restaurants, convenience
  stores, retail shopping, cultural, educational
  and historic offerings, special events, and
  outdoor recreation opportunities, would
  substantially decline or disappear.

Tourism Makes a Difference in Rural
Colorado. Insight The American West. Daily
Camera 11//22/1998
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Affects on the fabric of community

• Without tourism, the pool of talent for
  community leadership in elected and volunteer
  councils and boards, as well as financial
  contributions to youth programs, environmental
  projects, community benefits, nonprofit
  organizations, art and cultural institutions, and
  school activities, would shrink.

Tourism Makes a Difference in Rural
Colorado. Insight The American West. Daily
Camera 11//22/1998
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Challenge to local communities is

• Providing a tourism experience that is tailored
  to the communitys resources and values.
• Attracting the type of tourist whose expectations
  and expenditures match the experience the
  community provides.
• Making a commitment to tourism planning and
  establishing stringent tourism policies.

Tourism Makes a Difference in Rural
Colorado. Insight The American West. Daily
Camera 11//22/1998
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State level economic impactArizona 2005

• Direct spending of 17.5 billion
• Total earnings of 9.3 billion
• 168,100 Direct jobs-313,000 Total jobs
• State, Local, and Federal tax receipts of 2.1
  billion

Source Arizona Travel Impacts, Dean Runyon
Associates
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In New Mexico, trip spending means

• Mean spending on overnight trips of 675.
• Out of state visitors spent more per trip than
  in-state visitors 676 vs. 174.
• Fly visitors spent more per trip than drive
  visitors 793 vs. 386.
• Leisure visitors spent more per trip than
  business visitors 430 vs. 337.
• Business visitors spent more per night than
  leisure visitors 198 vs. 154.

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In Utah in 2005?

• 4.4 million visitors visited Utahs 41 state
  parks.
• Utahs 13 ski resorts hosted 4.1 million skier
  days.
• 5.3 million recreation visits to Utahs five
  national parks.
• Estimated 119,900 jobs in travel and
  tourism-related industries.
• Traveler spending generated 433 million in state
  and local tax revenues.

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And, in Colorado . . .

• 3.4 million business travelers 22.5 million
  pleasure travelers.
• 2.7 million toured 2.1 million outdoor trips
  1.6 million skied.
• 8.2 billion total traveler spending.
• 66 stayed in commercial lodging.
• Average per day expenditures for skiing 153.

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How does climate affect these recreational
experiences?

• Hunting/fishing
• Sporting events
• Wildlife viewing
• Boating/Water sports
• Dramatic landscapes
• Historic sites and Landmarks

• Downhill skiing
• Nordic skiing
• Golfing
• Scenic viewing
• Rafting/Kayaking
• Fishing
• State/Natl Parks

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A few relevant events and potential resources . .
.

• The Tourism Climatic Index A method of
  evaluating world climates for tourism (1987).
• 1st International Conference on Climate Change
  and Tourism (2003).
• E-CLAT Climate and Tourism Conference Tourism
  and Climate Change Mitigation (2006).
• Journal of Sustainable Tourism Special Issue on
  Tourism and its Interactions with Climate Change
  (2006).
• Climate, Tourism and Recreation A
  Bibliography1936 2006.
• Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
  Tourism on the Canadian Prairies (1998).

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The Tourism Climatic Index A method of
evaluating world climates for tourism.

• Developed as the first ever (1985) evaluation of
  the suitability of the worlds climates for the
  purposes of general recreation and tourism
  activity.
• The Index is based on monthly means for seven
  climatic variables
• 1) maximum daily temperature
• 2) mean daily temperature
• 3) minimum daily relative humidity
• 4) daily relative humidity
• 5) precipitation
• 6) daily duration of sunshine
• 7) wind speed.

Mieczkowski, Z. The Canadian Geographer 29(3),
220-233
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1st International Conference onClimate Change
and Tourism World Tourism Organization

• Conference offered a unique opportunity for
  tourism interests and scientists to exchange
  views on the consequences, opportunities and
  risks presented to the tourism sector as a result
  of changes in the worlds climate.

http//www.world-tourism.org/sustainable/climate/b
rochure.htm
(1)
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This WTO Conference noted that . . .

• Temperature rises are predicted to change
  precipitation patterns, both seasonal and
  absolute, which seem likely to exacerbate water
  supply problems.
• A greater risk of both flooding and drought
  conditions in many parts of the world.
• Climate change also seems likely to increase the
  magnitude, frequency and risk of extreme climatic
  events, such as storms and sea surges.
• The impact of predicted changes to the worlds
  climate is expected to be especially adverse in
  northern latitudes.

(2)
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In addition, the WTO Conference reported

• Four most striking effects of climate change are
  sea level rises, increases in surface
  temperature, a more intensive hydrological cycle
  and the variation in regional impacts.
• Climate is perhaps the most important influence
  on the choice of leisure travel destination. The
  majority of leisure travelers seek reliable
  winter or summer destinations in exchange for
  their normal place of residence.
• Tourism is a large consumer of water as it is a
  key resource for the recreational experience.
  Tourists demands for water are large at
  destinations where water resources are often
  relatively scarce.
• Actions to mitigate tourisms impact on climate
  change should comprise the promotion of energy
  efficiency across all aspects of the industry,
  the promotion of renewable energy resources and
  research into more sustainable tourism models.

(3)
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E-CLAT Climate and Tourism Conference Tourism
and Climate Change MitigationThe Netherlands,
2006.
(1)

• One paper explored the scope for applying
  emerging innovative air transport management
  concepts and tools to the mitigation of a wider
  range of climate impacts from aviation.
• Keep Winter Cool campaign (NSAA) in the US and
  Climate Alliance campaign from Europe.
  Objective of these campaigns is to combat climate
  change through public education initiatives at
  ski areas.
• Entrepreneurs in NZ identified climate change as
  a potential issue that may affect their business
  and personal well-being.
• But, respondents noted that although they were
  interested it was not an immediate or even main
  priority as they had more day-to-day concerns
  with running their business .

www.e-clat.org
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E-CLAT Climate and Tourism Conference Tourism
and Climate Change MitigationThe Netherlands,
2006.
(2)

• Bus travelmotivation to swap car travel for bus
  travel for all or some of day trips at the resort
  destination.
• Who, how they use buses, motivation for bus use,
  time use, spending patterns and priorities for
  quality of service.
• Target groups for vacation offers to reduce
  greenhouse gaseslinking environmental
  protection.
• Identifying target groups that are responsive to
  ecological and social issues cultural travelers
  on the one hand, and nature and outdoor
  holidaymakers on the other.
• Hotels are large consumers of energy in absolute
  terms.
• Need to achieve high comfort standards, in
  particular through HVAC systems. Rising
  temperatures should diminish heating needs more
  than they increase cooling needs.

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Journal of Sustainable TourismSpecial Issue on
Tourism and its Interactions with Climate Change
(2006)

• Measuring national carbon dioxide emissions from
  tourism as a key step towards achieving
  sustainable tourism.
• Tourism and climate change Two-way street, or
  vicious/virtuous circle?
• Mediterranean tourism Exploring the future with
  the tourism climatic index.
• Will predicted climate change compromise the
  sustainability of Mediterranean tourism?
• Climate change and the sustainability of
  ski-based tourism in Eastern North America A
  reassessment.
• Tourism and climate change Proposals for a
  research agenda.

www.channelviewpublications.com
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Climate, Tourism and Recreation A Bibliography
1936 2006Daniel Scott, Brenda Jones and Geoff
McBoyleFaculty of Environmental
Studies-University of Waterloo

• Weather and climate have a strong influence on
  the tourism and recreation sector, which is among
  the largest and fastest growing industries in the
  world.
• Weather and climate influence the environmental
  resources that are the foundation for
  tourism/recreation, the length and quality of
  tourism and recreation seasons, the health of
  tourists, and even the quality of tourism
  experiences.
• The bibliography contains over 200 references to
  academic journals, books, government and
  university reports and conference proceedings.

http//www.fes.uwaterloo.ca/u/dj2scott/
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A more in-depth look at . . .

• Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
  Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
  Report.
• International Institute for Sustainable
  DevelopmentWinnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

http//www.iisd.org
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Framing of the study

• Rural economies becoming more dependent on
  tourism.
• Economy driven by natural resource base and
  weather.
• Identified where and when recreation was taking
  place.
• Patterns of residents (recreation) and visitors
  (tourism).
• Domestic and international markets.
• Seasonality (Summer, Fall and Winter).
• Type of resource-base for recreation/tourism
• Dry terrain
• Water-based
• Snow/ice based

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(1)
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Destination Assets of the Region

• Diversity of natural resources
• Not crowded
• Unspoiled
• Clean surroundings
• Agriculture
• Laid-back, friendly people
• History and culture

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(2)
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Various climate scenarios to contend with . . .

• Droughts and dry spells
• Early and late frosts
• Cold spells/Heat waves
• Excessive moisture and flooding
• Winds

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(3)
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Climate and water issues

• Altered lake levels
• Affects on salinity and flora/fauna
• Warmer temperatures warmer water
• Increased algae and plant growth
• Increase need for oxygen
• Reduction in dissolved oxygen
• Death of fish
• Later freeze/earlier melt of ice
• Decreased run-off and shorter run-off periods.

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(4)
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A. Climate affects on water resources available
to vegetation

• Distribution
• Migration, extinction adaptation of species
• Soil types/reproduction
• Predators and competition

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(5)
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B. Climate affects on water resources available
to wildlife

• Dependent on vegetation for food and shelter
• Milder wintershigher survival rates of species
  not adapted to cold or snow
• Drying of potholes reduced waterfowl
• Lower lake levels exposure of nesting sites to
  predators.

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(6)
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Findings/Recommendations

• Climate scenarios need to be more local specific.
• Increase understanding of the economic costs of
  creating favorable recreation conditions.
• Develop new management strategies that take into
  account changing resource base and its effect on
  vegetation, wildlife and recreational choices.
• Need to consider competition to the region and
  opportunity costs to the participant.
• Need to anticipate resource conflicts due to
  competition for scare water resources and
  determine process for resolving conflicts.

Effects of Climate Change on Recreation and
Tourism on the Canadian Prairies A Status
Report.
(7)
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Leads us to the four objectives we have set

• Develop a strategy for raising awareness of
  issues linking tourism and climate seasonally and
  on a longer time-scale
• Develop a framework for collaborative research on
  climatic risks, opportunities, and
  research/information needs for reducing impacts
  on the tourism and recreation industries on the
  Colorado Plateau
• Identify sources of data and potential
  partnerships to investigate interactions between
  tourism and climate variability and change and to
  provide usable information for planning and
  management
• Identify critical indicators and threshold values
  of climate-based indices for tourism and
  recreation.