Volume: 9  Number: 4&5  Page: 419–435  doi:10.2167/cit265.0

Tourist Perceptions of Climate Change: A Study of International Tourists in Zanzibar

Stefan Gösslinga, Magnus Bredberga, Anna Randowa, Elin Sandströma and Patrik Svenssonb aDepartment of Service Management, Lund University, Box 882, 251 08 Helsingborg, Sweden and bDepartment of Marine Biology and Ecology, University of Plymouth, Faculty of Science, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK

A study was conducted in Zanzibar, Tanzania, in order to understand tourist perceptions of climate change, the importance of climate for travel decisions, and the likely consequences of ongoing climate change for travel decisions. The results show that climatic characteristics of destinations are important, though not the only factor shaping travel decisions. Under a scenario of climate change, certain climate variables, such as more rain, storms, and higher humidity are also likely to negatively influence travel decisions, rather than higher temperatures alone, which are not necessarily perceived as negative. Regarding the contribution of travel to climate change, the study reveals that leisure tourists in Zanzibar are largely unaware of their impact on the natural environment, while the analysis of stated travel behaviour shows that they frequently travel by air. Overall, the results indicate that travel flows might change in more complex ways than currently assumed, and that a small share of high-intensity air travellers is responsible for a considerable environmental impact in terms of climate change.

Keywords: air travel, biometeorological comfort, climate and weather perceptions, sustainable tourism, sustainable transport, travel decisions

© 2006 S. Gossling et al.

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