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

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to critically review the contribution made by this theme issue in responding to the strategic question: “How can the tourism industry respond to the global challenges arising from climate change and environmental degradation?”

Design/methodology/approach

A critical content analysis of the papers selected for the theme issue was undertaken to learn from the best practices globally. This enabled the theme editors to reflect on the rationale for the theme issue question, the starting-point and the editorial process.

Findings

This summary paper highlights the most significant outcomes from the theme issue in terms of the contributions to knowledge and/or professional practice. It also summarizes the implications for management action and applied research arising from the outcomes and best practices based on case studies in Malaysia, Canada and New Zealand. As the main objective of the theme issue was to obtain a general overview of the relationship between tourism and climate change, five general review papers were included to strengthen the research framework.

Research limitations/implications

This paper outlines the challenges and new approaches in dealing with the issue of climate change. Given the economic, social and environmental significance of tourism, coverage of the climate change issue as it relates to tourism is, yet, limited. Given this scenario, the theme issue has contributed to the body of knowledge in this important field.

Originality/value

This paper explores the extent to which the cases presented and the review of various climate change concepts can provide guidance. The approaches and issues discussed in this theme issue could be replicated and applied in countries that are beginning to focus on climate change issues.

Citation

Nair, V., Mohamed, B. and Thomas, T.K. (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. 606-610. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-06-2016-0034