Copyright Kalahari Management Inc CLIMATE CHANGE AND ECOTOURISM Prepared by Carol Patterson Kalahari Management Inc. online.com (403) , Fax (403) Prepared by Carol Patterson Kalahari Management Inc. online.com (403) , Fax (403)

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Climate Change and Ecotourism Climate change is impacting most forms of nature based tourism experiences and destinations Climate change is impacting most forms of nature based tourism experiences and destinations The World Tourism Organization is convening a conference on climate change and tourism in Tunisia, April 2003 The World Tourism Organization is convening a conference on climate change and tourism in Tunisia, April 2003 Climate change is impacting most forms of nature based tourism experiences and destinations Climate change is impacting most forms of nature based tourism experiences and destinations The World Tourism Organization is convening a conference on climate change and tourism in Tunisia, April 2003 The World Tourism Organization is convening a conference on climate change and tourism in Tunisia, April 2003

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Climate Impacts on Tour Operators Lack of snow limits ability to offer winter experiences e.g. dog sledding Lack of snow limits ability to offer winter experiences e.g. dog sledding Low water levels reduces runoff needed for whitewater experiences e.g. kayaking, rafting Low water levels reduces runoff needed for whitewater experiences e.g. kayaking, rafting Fire hazards can limit hiking, biking, lodge experiences Fire hazards can limit hiking, biking, lodge experiences Lack of snow limits ability to offer winter experiences e.g. dog sledding Lack of snow limits ability to offer winter experiences e.g. dog sledding Low water levels reduces runoff needed for whitewater experiences e.g. kayaking, rafting Low water levels reduces runoff needed for whitewater experiences e.g. kayaking, rafting Fire hazards can limit hiking, biking, lodge experiences Fire hazards can limit hiking, biking, lodge experiences

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Climate Impacts on Tour Operators (continued) Unseasonable weather can restrict tour operators ability to deliver advertised products e.g. snow on summer wildflower hikes, no snow for January ski trips Unseasonable weather can restrict tour operators ability to deliver advertised products e.g. snow on summer wildflower hikes, no snow for January ski trips Impacts on wildlife (e.g. warmer waters for fish, change in migration patterns, decreases in food supply) can limit wildlife viewing opportunities Impacts on wildlife (e.g. warmer waters for fish, change in migration patterns, decreases in food supply) can limit wildlife viewing opportunities High hay prices for horse-based experiences High hay prices for horse-based experiences Unseasonable weather can restrict tour operators ability to deliver advertised products e.g. snow on summer wildflower hikes, no snow for January ski trips Unseasonable weather can restrict tour operators ability to deliver advertised products e.g. snow on summer wildflower hikes, no snow for January ski trips Impacts on wildlife (e.g. warmer waters for fish, change in migration patterns, decreases in food supply) can limit wildlife viewing opportunities Impacts on wildlife (e.g. warmer waters for fish, change in migration patterns, decreases in food supply) can limit wildlife viewing opportunities High hay prices for horse-based experiences High hay prices for horse-based experiences

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Adaptations to Climate Change from Tour Operators For operators with a diverse product line, they can substitute activities when weather affects a tour For operators with a diverse product line, they can substitute activities when weather affects a tour Additional interpretation or games can be used to compensate for a lack of thrills (rafting) or wildlife Additional interpretation or games can be used to compensate for a lack of thrills (rafting) or wildlife Operate for fewer weeks Operate for fewer weeks More attention may be given to safety planning to prevent injury or loss of life during freak storms, floods, etc. More attention may be given to safety planning to prevent injury or loss of life during freak storms, floods, etc. For operators with a diverse product line, they can substitute activities when weather affects a tour For operators with a diverse product line, they can substitute activities when weather affects a tour Additional interpretation or games can be used to compensate for a lack of thrills (rafting) or wildlife Additional interpretation or games can be used to compensate for a lack of thrills (rafting) or wildlife Operate for fewer weeks Operate for fewer weeks More attention may be given to safety planning to prevent injury or loss of life during freak storms, floods, etc. More attention may be given to safety planning to prevent injury or loss of life during freak storms, floods, etc.

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Adaptations to Climate Change from Tour Operators (continued) Suspend operations in anticipation of better climate conditions e.g. dog sledding Suspend operations in anticipation of better climate conditions e.g. dog sledding Increase prices to cover additional costs e.g. hay Increase prices to cover additional costs e.g. hay Change tourism experiences to take advantage of new conditions Change tourism experiences to take advantage of new conditions Suspend operations in anticipation of better climate conditions e.g. dog sledding Suspend operations in anticipation of better climate conditions e.g. dog sledding Increase prices to cover additional costs e.g. hay Increase prices to cover additional costs e.g. hay Change tourism experiences to take advantage of new conditions Change tourism experiences to take advantage of new conditions

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc Longer Term Impacts of Climate Change May need to buy water e.g. Australian, West Virginia rafting companies May need to buy water e.g. Australian, West Virginia rafting companies May cease to operate May cease to operate May need to buy water e.g. Australian, West Virginia rafting companies May need to buy water e.g. Australian, West Virginia rafting companies May cease to operate May cease to operate

Copyright Kalahari Management Inc ConclusionsConclusions Tourism by its nature is very dynamic; climate change seen by many operators as just one more unknown to deal with Tourism by its nature is very dynamic; climate change seen by many operators as just one more unknown to deal with Many tourism operators feel that there are other more serious threats to their businesses e.g. insurance changes, political conditions Many tourism operators feel that there are other more serious threats to their businesses e.g. insurance changes, political conditions Those operators with the greatest diversity are best equipped to deal with the effects of climate change Those operators with the greatest diversity are best equipped to deal with the effects of climate change Some tour operators feel that long term climate change will threaten their survival Some tour operators feel that long term climate change will threaten their survival Tourism by its nature is very dynamic; climate change seen by many operators as just one more unknown to deal with Tourism by its nature is very dynamic; climate change seen by many operators as just one more unknown to deal with Many tourism operators feel that there are other more serious threats to their businesses e.g. insurance changes, political conditions Many tourism operators feel that there are other more serious threats to their businesses e.g. insurance changes, political conditions Those operators with the greatest diversity are best equipped to deal with the effects of climate change Those operators with the greatest diversity are best equipped to deal with the effects of climate change Some tour operators feel that long term climate change will threaten their survival Some tour operators feel that long term climate change will threaten their survival