Nature tourism resorts are particularly sensitive to the impact of climate change and weather extremes, such as droughts, heatwaves, wildfires, extreme frost and flooding. While studies have been conducted to assess the implications of climate change on nature resorts in the global north, there is little understanding of how climate change will affect these resorts across Africa, where tourism is a significant contributor towards livelihood security for many. This study examined the evidence for and potential impacts of climate variability and change on nature-based tourism activities in the Kariba resort in Zimbabwe. A case study approach was used, with both primary and secondary data analysed using ArcGIS 10.3. Content and thematic analysis and Mann-Kendall trend analysis were also performed. The study revealed that nature-based tourism in Kariba is under threat from increased and intense droughts, likely resulting from climate change. Extreme temperatures and droughts are critical threats to biodiversity and water levels in Lake Kariba, and they undermine both certain tourist activities and destination attractiveness. Increased incidents of drought, among other factors, have likely led to a reduced hotel occupancy over the last two decades threatening tourism business viability. The paper recommends that the tourism industry in Kariba should streamline its operations, retrofit and invest in green buildings to adapt to climate change. Further studies are suggested to quantify the economic impacts of climate variability and change on flora and fauna. The results provide tourism players and other agencies with information that can support various management decisions and represent a benchmark for future monitoring of climate change in Kariba in line with the dictates of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 on climate action.
Dube, K; Nhamo, G
Vulnerability of nature-based tourism to climate variability and change: Case of Kariba resort town, Zimbabwe
Journal Of Outdoor Recreation And Tourism-Research Planning And Management