Tourism industry reaction to climate change in Kgalagadi South District, Botswana

Abstract

Climate change and adaptation have become major issues in contemporary tourism development and policy discussions, especially in southern Africa where the tourism industry is largely based on the natural environment and wildlife. Previous studies on tourism and climate change have mainly focused on the global north and snow-based winter tourism activities. This study aimed to fill the gap by examining tourism operators' perceptions of climate change in Kgalagadi South District, southwest Botswana, and looking at their adaptation strategies, if any. It was found that these operators were aware of the general impacts of climate change but most saw no impacts on the tourism industry and none recognised any impacts on their own operations. Most did, however, envisage challenges to future business growth and Botswana's tourism competitiveness. The perception that climate change did not currently have any impacts may explain why there were almost no adaptation strategies in place.

Keywords:

• climate change
• climate change adaptation
• tourism industry
• Botswana

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Office of Research and Development, University of Botswana, the University of Oulu and the Academy of Finland, and wish to thank the tourism operators in Tshabong area, Chief David Seetelo Toto, Botswana Tourism Board's office in Tshabong and the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism for their warm support.

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