The impact of climate variability on tourism businesses and tourism infrastructure providers in Glacier Country
Abstract
This report summarises the findings from 24 interviews with tourist operators and infrastructure
providers in Glacier Country on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The research was
undertaken in September 2011. In line with the area represented by the Glacier Country Tourism
Group (GCTG), Glacier Country stretches from Whataroa in the north, to Bruce Bay and Lake Paringa
in the south: the majority of tourism activity occurs in and around the settlements of Franz Josef, Fox
Glacier, Whataroa and Okarito. The interviews explored the ways in which tourism businesses and infrastructure providers in Glacier
Country currently deal with, and/or plan for, climate variability (i.e., daily weather conditions),
extreme weather events (such as severe storms or unusually heavy rainfall events) and predicted
longer term climate changes (e.g., increased rainfall intensity, increased westerly wind, reduction in
glaciation). This Glacier Country case study follows earlier research undertaken in the Southern
Lakes Region and in Northland. A number of climate and weather related tourism issues identified in
these earlier studies were also examined in respect of tourism in Glacier Country, including the use
of weather information and emergency management. This case study also included an additional set
of questions about other future concerns – particularly around the supply and cost of energy for
tourism in the region – and challenges facing tourism in Glacier Country.... [Show full abstract]
Keywords
tourism; Glacier Country; climate variability; infrastructure; climate change; energyFields of Research
150603 Tourism Management; 160402 Recreation, Leisure and Tourism GeographyDate
2012-01Type
MonographCollections
©LEaP, Lincoln University, New Zealand 2011. This information may be copied or reproduced electronically and distributed to others without restriction, provided LEaP, Lincoln University is acknowledged as the source of information. Under no circumstances may a charge be made for this information without the express permission of LEaP, Lincoln University, New Zealand.