Dive tourism in Luganville, Vanuatu: Shocks, stressors, and vulnerability to climate change

Louise Munk Klint, Min Jiang, Alexandra Law, Terry DeLacy, Sebastian Filep, Emma Calgaro, Dale Dominey-Howes, David Harrison

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Luganville is a developing dive tourism destination region (DTDR) in Vanuatu, which relies on tourism. This article reports on the shocks and stressors faced by Luganville's dive tourism sector and climate change's exacerbation of these. The study's methodology was based on rapid rural appraisal and case study principles, involving methods of semistructured interviews, group discussions, and personal observations. Data were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Key shocks identified include cyclones, earthquakes, effect on demand due to media footage, and changes to international flights. Main stressors were starfish outbreaks and environmental degradation. Unlike the indigenous communities, expatriates show little concern for the potential impact of climate change, presenting response challenges that must incorporate different perspectives to develop effective adaptation options.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)91-109
Number of pages19
JournalTourism in Marine Environments
Volume8
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Climate change
  • Dive tourism
  • Shocks and stressors
  • Vanuatu
  • Vulnerability

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Tourism, Leisure and Hospitality Management

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