Page 268 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 2

The Effect of Climate Change on Tourism

Considering the Small Island States, which keep their economies alive
thanks to tourism revenues, the gradual increase in sea levels due to the
melting of glaciers based on climate change seems to pose a series threat not
just to tourism incomes, but also to the survival of these countries. The rise
in the average global temperatures increases the time spent outdoors, which
creates the possibility of a change in regional tourist attractions. Moreover,
especially winter tourism is being affected negatively by global warming as
the time snow cover lasts on the soil gets shorter, which is likely to affect the
preference of ski holiday resorts as tourist destinations (IPCC, 2007).
Additionally, there is also a severe possibility of interruptions in culture
tourism activities due to the exposure of lives, forests, agricultural lands, and
cultural heritage that can be considered historical structures and artifacts to
temperature changes due to climate change, heavy precipitation, and acid
rains (Demirtaş, 2011; Gülbahar, 2008). Certain destinations of historical
and cultural value will be submerged due to the decrease or rise in water
levels or floods in certain areas because of the climate change. Moreover,
the factors such as water shortage, population growth, overconsumption and
underproduction, are likely to cause the rise of “doomsday tourism” or “last
chance tourism” (Yıldız, 2018).
Some tourists tend to choose alternative tourism types and prefer nature
tourism, believing these destinations will not be seen again the short term. In
certain regions, there seems to be an extension of the tourism season, which
results in an increased demand for the tourist destination. However, famine,
drought and pandemics seem to be possible threats, and it is thought that
the long-term effects of climate change on tourism sector will outweigh the
positive impacts (El-Masry et al, 2022; Grillakis et la, 2016; Tetik and Acun,
2015; Sevim, 2009; Moreno and Amelung, 2009; Hacıoğlu et al, 2009b; Yıldız,
2009; Zeydan and Sevim, 2008; Hamilton and Tol, 2007; Dawson and Scott,
2007). In this respect, considering the potential effects of climate change on
tourism sector in the upcoming years, it is essential for the survival of the
sector to mitigate greenhouse gases based on tourism activities, and aim for
net zero emissions in certain areas. Moreover, adaptation measures should
be taken to minimize the effects of climate change on touristic resources and
activities (Dereli et al, 2019).

b. The Effect of Tourism Sector on Climate Change

As mentioned above, the relationship between tourism sector and climate
change is mutual, and it is observed that tourism activities also contribute to
climate change. Tourism sector, currently, is estimated to account for 8% of the

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