Facing the Climate Crisis in Tourism: Risk Perception Among Managers in the Public and Private Sectors
Risk perception; climate change; tourism; vulnerability; adaptation; mitigation
Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by climate change. Tourist destinations are exposed to climate-related threats that impact the industry directly or indirectly, putting the system at risk. The multitude of economic activities involved in tourism provides a glimpse of the potential socioeconomic impacts that may arise from disruptions or significant decreases in visitor flows, especially in areas where tourism represents the primary, if not the sole, source of income. As adaptation is an intersectoral, multiscale, and dynamic process influenced by individual factors, the perception of risk related to climate threats in tourism is a crucial aspect of adaptive decision-making, as it motivates companies' responses and predicts the involvement of social actors in various public policies. This research project aims to understand how Brazilian tourism managers, both from the public and private sectors, perceive the risks of climate change and their implications for addressing the sector's climate agenda challenges. To achieve its objectives, this project will combine quantitative and qualitative research methods, using questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and applying content analysis to the collected responses and documents.