Title: Screening for climate change vulnerability in Botswana's tourism sector in a bid to explore suitable adaptation measures and policy implications: a case study of the Okavango Delta

Authors: Wame L. Hambira

Addresses: Department of Environmental Science, University of Botswana, Private Bag UB 00704, Gaborone, Botswana; Department of Geography, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 3000, FI-90014, Finland

Abstract: Tourism in Botswana is the second largest economic sector. However, climate change poses a threat to ecosystems upon which tourism is anchored. The sector thus needs to adapt to climate change subject to the extent to which it is vulnerable to climate change. This paper screens for climate change vulnerability in Botswana's tourism sector using the Okavango Delta as a case study. Methods entail: identification of vulnerability drivers; anticipated effects; and the level of concern posed in relation to tourism. The results show that Botswana's tourism industry is indeed vulnerable hence suitable adaptation measures and policies need to be developed.

Keywords: climate change; vulnerability screening; adaptation strategies; Botswana; policy implications; Okavango Delta; economic sectors; ecosystems; ecology; vulnerability drivers; anticipated effects; concern levels; tourism policy; tourists.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2011.046709

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2011 Vol.4 No.1, pp.51 - 65

Received: 04 Apr 2011
Accepted: 09 Jan 2012
Published online: 02 May 2012 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article