Perceptions of climate change and climate change policies within the tourism sector in Mauritius : a thesis prepared in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Environmental Management at Massey University, New Zealand
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Date
2016
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Massey University
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Abstract
Tourism in small island developing states (SIDS) is particularly vulnerable to climate change.
The phenomenon is predicted to reduce the demand for tourism in SIDS as temperatures at these
destinations become uncomfortably hot and temperate destinations close to tourists’ countries of
origin become more appealing. Climate change is also expected to have significant economic
implications for the tourism industry in island nations due to sea level rise, storm surges and
more intense cyclones which can damage coastal infrastructure, disrupt tourism operations,
contribute to environmental degradation and create a less attractive image of the destination.
These impacts may be reduced through a planned adaptation approach which is guided by
national policies and mediated by authorities. However, the complex and uncertain nature of
climate change requires more than only expert opinions to ensure that implemented policies are
effective.
Tourism is the most important export-oriented economic activity in Mauritius. However, rapid
tourism development has led to environmental degradation in coastal areas. Climate change is
predicted to exacerbate these conditions and further deteriorate the environmental attributes on
which tourism depends. This research examines the climate change risk perceptions among
stakeholders within the tourism sector in Mauritius. It also explores their perceptions of the
public policies which guide the management of climate change impacts, their policy preferences
and the factors which they view as barriers to an effective approach to climate change.
A conceptual framework based on the literature on risk perceptions was developed to guide this
research and a mixed method approach comprising a self-administered survey and semistructured
interviews was adopted for data collection. Information was gathered regarding
stakeholders’ level of concern about climate change, their past experience of climate change
impacts, sources of information, levels of trust in institutional responses, and their preferred
approach to managing climate change impacts.
Results revealed that climate change is perceived as representing significant risks for Mauritius,
both for the participants on a personal level and for the tourism industry. Climate change is
viewed as a phenomenon which leads to unpredictable and potentially fatal consequences, and
therefore, as having high catastrophic potential. Past experience and a lack of confidence in
government institutions’ capacity to successfully manage the impacts strongly influenced these
perceptions. Stakeholders’ preferred policy options included education, raising awareness,
stricter regulations for environmental conservation and mitigation of greenhouse emissions. The
majority of participants demonstrated a lack of awareness of the importance of adaptation in
Mauritius, and therefore viewed the current institutional approach, which appropriately focuses
on adaptation, as being inadequate or insufficient. It is recommended that communication among
tourism stakeholders is strengthened and information about adaptation is disseminated to
stakeholders through sources perceived as being credible.
Keywords: climate change, tourism, risk perceptions, policy, Small Island Developing States,
Mauritius.
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Keywords
Tourism, Climatic changes, Climate change, Government policy, Risk perception, Small Island Developing States, Mauritius, Research Subject Categories::SOCIAL SCIENCES::Business and economics