Effects of Climate Change on Tourism in the Mid-Atlantic

Abstract

Executive Summary The effects of climate change are being felt worldwide and tourism and recreation providers are often among the first to feel the physical and economic effects. Climate change has direct impacts to environmental patterns on a global scale, which affects physical conditions of tourism sites and attractions. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of climate change on a small sample of tourism and recreation providers in the mid-Atlantic. Results indicate that climate change is a very important issue in the field, having lasting effects, changing visitor use patterns, and leading to physical impacts to tourism sites such as flooding, wildfires, and severe storms. Recreation and tourism providers could use adaptation techniques to deal with climate change. Three techniques suggested in this paper include utilizing should er season visitation, diversification of offerings, and recovery-specific travel opportunities. Although there are no easy answers to the challenges posed for tourism by climate change, there seems to be hope for those professionals that embrace the opportunities to adapt.