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Convinced, ambivalent or annoyed: Tyrolean ski tourism stakeholders and their perceptions of climate change

Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Its focus on snow-dependent activities makes Alpine winter tourism especially sensitive to climate change. Stakeholder risk perceptions are a key factor in adaptation to climate change because they fundamentally drive or constrain stakeholder action. This paper examines climate change perceptions of winter tourism stakeholders in Tyrol (Austria). Using a qualitative approach, expert interviews were conducted. Four opinion categories reflecting different attitudes toward climate change issues were identified: convinced planners, annoyed deniers, ambivalent optimists, convinced wait-and-seers. Although the findings generally indicate a growing awareness of climate change, this awareness is mainly limited to perceiving the issue as a global phenomenon. Awareness of regional and branch-specific consequences of climate change that lead to a demand for action could not be identified. Current technical strategies, like snowmaking, are not primarily climate-induced. At present, coping with climate change is not a priority for risk management. The findings point out the importance of gaining and transferring knowledge of regional and branch-specific consequences of climate change in order to induce action at the destination level.
DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2013.07.010
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $1,730
OpenAlex ID: W1979947575
FWCI: 21.61
Cites: 111
Cited by: 117
Related to: 10