Developing a climate risk scan for destinations

The project builds on the successful ‘climate risks for tour operators' project, which mapped the climate risks for 199 Dutch tour operators. 

'In the previous project we developed the first version of a climate risk scan methodology. I am excited to continue to build on insights of the previous project. With our colleagues of European Tourism Futures Institute, Wageningen University & Research, Travel Foundation, and the Serious Games, Innovation & Society research group here at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas), we have a great team in place. I am looking forward to jointly create practical tools for tourism destinations to manage the climate risks they face', states Harald Buijtendijk, senior researcher at Centre for Sustainability, Tourism & Transport at BUas.

Climate risks are financial risks of accelerated loss of value and stranding of assets because of the effects of climate change and related policies.

Student collaboration 
Students from the joint-degree BSc Tourism program play an active role in the project. The project is integrated into the 2nd-year International Field Project. Students will work in teams with Montenegrin students to identify stakeholder perspectives on climate risks and ways to address these risks in the context of different tourism destinations in the Western Balkan region.

Positive impact
The project seeks to empower tourism businesses and communities in destinations. They benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of climate risks and gain insights in the trade-offs they face in managing these risks, now and in the future.

Help destination managers assess vulnerability 
The project will help destination managers assess vulnerability, manage risk, and prioritise investment and innovation to be more resilient – all whilst considering their impact on destination communities. The Destination RiskScan will enable them to better understand interventions that can reduce their exposure to climate change risks.

The overall project will identify and address climate risks for all types of destinations, with a particular focus on coastal (beach) and winter (snow) tourism destinations, which face some of the most immediate challenges.

Stay up to date
Sign up to receive updates on our Destination RiskScan research and other reports at www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/destination-risk-scan/. 

Centre of Expertise Leisure, Tourism and Hospitality
CELTH is a collaboration between Breda University of Applied Sciences, HZ University of Applied Sciences and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. The only Center of Expertise in the Netherlands in the field of tourism, leisure and hospitality. With scientifically substantiated and independent practice-oriented research, CELTH wants to contribute to the transformation of the domain towards a sustainable future.

Travel Foundation
The Travel Foundation is leading international sustainable tourism organisation dedicated to ensuring that tourism provides the greatest possible benefit to every destination around the world so that their communities and environments can thrive.

CELTH has previously collaborated successfully with the Travel Foundation in ‘Envisioning Tourism in 2030’ and ‘Creating Equitable Destinations’.