How can the tourism industry respond to the global challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation?

Abstract

Purpose

This paper profiles the WHATT theme issue “How can the tourism industry respond to the global challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation?” by drawing on reflections from the theme editors and theme issue outcomes, including case study examples from Malaysia, New Zealand and Canada.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses structured questions to enable the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting point, the selection of the writing team, the material and the editorial process.

Findings

This paper uses case studies to illustrate how the tourism industry is responding to climate change issues. Additionally, team members of the theme issue from Australia, India, Germany, Malaysia and Canada review some of the latest thinking on the relationships between tourism and climate change.

Practical implications

This paper outlines challenges and new approaches to the management of climate change in tourism.

Originality/value

Explores the extent to which innovative approaches, discussed in this theme issue, could be replicated and applied in countries that have yet to take action on tourism-related climate change.

Citation

Nair, V., Mohamed, B., Thomas, T.K. and Teare, R. (2016), "How can the tourism industry respond to the global challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation?", Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, Vol. 8 No. 5, pp. 611-616. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-07-2016-0039