Policy Environment for the Tourism Sector's Adaptation to Climate Change in the South Pacific – The Case of Samoa

Abstract

Samoa and its neighbouring Pacific Island Countries are highly vulnerable to climate change risks because their population and infrastructure are mostly located on low-lying coastal areas. Impacts of climate change are potentially disastrous to tourism, the major economic sector in the region. This research examines the conduciveness of the policy environment in Samoa for the tourism sector to adapt to climate change along three dimensions: stakeholders’ will and commitment, resources available, and policy-making mechanisms [Wong, E.P.Y., Mistilis, N., & Dwyer, L. (2011). A framework for analyzing intergovernmental collaboration – the case of ASEAN tourism. Tourism Management, 32, 367–376]. Samoa is used as an exemplar case study to understand how the Pacific island tourism sector can best adapt to climate change. It was found that the policy environment in Samoa is generally conducive. However, there is a strong need for closer public–private cooperation.

Keywords:

• climate change
• Samoa
• adaptation
• policy

Acknowledgement

This research is funded by an AusAID Australian Development Research Award.

Notes

ENSO is a coupled ocean-atmosphere phenomenon and an important mode of climate variability (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007).

Fales are Samoan style houses, traditionally made from parts of coconut trees.

There is a climate change coordinator in every ministry. These coordinators relay climate change policy information to their respective department.

Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or parliamentary chamber.