Assessment of Impacts of Climate Change on Tourism in Small Island States Based Upon Field Studies in Seychelles and Comoros (Rolph Payet, Seychelles Climate Centre, Seychelles Ministry of Environment, Seychelles)

The islands in the Indian Ocean lack natural resources and are dependent on tourism as a major source of foreign exchange. With the advancement of technology to provide a better understanding of the relationships between climate and tourism and appropriate adaptation options, early action can be implemented to effectively reduce the impact of climate change on tourism, hence the economic vulnerability of the island states to climate change. The goal of this study is to develop and test a quantitative and stakeholder-driven vulnerability assessment process, with emphasis on developing an adaptation decision framework to address the impacts of climate change on tourism-dependent coastal resources. The multidisciplinary team from Seychelles and Comoros will integrate stakeholder-based and quantitative research approaches to develop an enhanced adaptation decision framework that has been refined to address specific issues related to tourism in small island states. 

Countries and Sectors: The Indian Ocean Region, with field studies in Seychelles (Mahe & Praslin islands) and Comoros (Grand Comore, Anjouan & Moehli islands). Coastal and marine environment, stakeholders, and the tourism sector.