Page 272 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 2
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The Effect of Climate Change on Tourism
due to climate change affect tourism sector, and thus, the activities held in
this context negatively. Based on climate change, the number, frequency
and intensity of these disasters are expected to increase incrementally in the
upcoming years.
As a part of this study, the relationship between climate and tourism has
been examined, and it has been revealed that there is a mutual relationship
between climate change and tourism. The negative impacts of climate
change lead to things like change in tourism destinations, destruction of
natural beauties, the damage in cultural heritage and the decrease in tourism
incomes, posing a threat to all humanity in all areas, including the tourism
sector.
On the other hand, the greenhouse gas emissions based on tourism sector
lead to an increase in climate change as well. In this framework, there is
growing need for measures and adaptation practices in tourism sector, as in
all sectors, against greenhouse gas emissions, one of the main reasons for
climate change. This is because the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the
activities realized as part of the tourism sector will worsen climate change,
which will lead to short, medium, and long term negative effects on tourism
sector, causing serious damage on the sector.
In this context, this study has revealed that the impact of climate change on
tourism sector are seen most in transportation sector. The emissions based on
transportation for touristic purposes alone are expected to increase by 25%
from 2016 to 2030.
Therefore, there is need for the reduction of carbon footprint in tourism
sector, vehicle modernization, replacing the existing fuels with the eco-
friendly fuels, and the prevention of water, energy and food costs, which is
essential for tourism sector. Especially in areas of sea tourism, it is crucial to
reduce carbon footprint, through initiatives such as the use of solar panels,
regulations concerning waste from touristic facilities, and to eliminate or
mitigate the worsening effects of climate conditions. Similarly, for tourism
purposes, the necessary investments should be made and climate-sensitive
facilities should be built.
The creation of a sustainable and flexible tourism sector will not only benefit
human beings, but also lead to a series of environmental, economic and social
results, including the preservation of diversity, creation of new employment
opportunities, development of a circular economy, social unity as well as
maintenance of welfare. Transition to climate-sensitive tourism solutions will
highly contribute to the actualization of UN Sustainable Development Goals,
which is expected by 2030 from all countries not just by the Paris Agreement,
but also by the United Nations. The use of natural as well as technological
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