How do you assess and build climate resilience in a tourism sector facing multiple environmental challenges?
Working with GGGI to develop climate adaptation strategies for Sri Lanka's tourism sector through participatory vulnerability assessments and policy recommendations.
Key Findings
Local Knowledge Critical
Tourism operators' direct experience with climate impacts proved essential for accurate vulnerability assessment.
Cross-Sector Impacts
Tourism's dependencies on other sectors (coastal, biodiversity, infrastructure) required comprehensive adaptation approach.
Capacity Drives Implementation
Success of adaptation measures depends more on institutional capacity than just prioritization of actions.
The Challenge
As an island nation, Sri Lanka faces significant climate change challenges that directly impact its tourism sector:
- Increasing extreme weather events
- Coastal erosion and flooding risks
- Threats to biodiversity attractions
- Infrastructure vulnerability
- Limited institutional capacity
- Cross-sector dependencies
Our Approach
We developed a comprehensive framework for assessing and addressing climate vulnerabilities:
Results and Impact
The project delivered several key outcomes:
Key Learnings for Tourism Organizations
Participatory Assessment Works
Engaging tourism stakeholders directly in vulnerability assessment creates more accurate and actionable insights.
Balance Urgency with Capability
Effective adaptation plans must consider both the urgency of climate risks and institutional capacity to address them.
Value Chain Perspective
Understanding tourism's complex value chain helps identify critical vulnerabilities and adaptation opportunities.