CLIMATE CHANGE AND INDUSTRY IN INFORMATION BRIEF

Photo: IUCN / Abdul Quayyum

KEY POINTS

• Tourism in Bangladesh is mainly based disruption to infrastructure and resulting around nature destinations. Whilst mainly migration to and from these places. domestic there are some foreign participants. • As a developing sector adaptation is a larger consideration than mitigation. • As a result the potential impacts of However it is important to keep climate change will be direct, through mitigation in mind especially as destruction of the nature in and around Bangladesh attracts a large amount of these destinations, and indirect, with the ‘eco’ tourism for which mitigation is important. INTRODUCTION in 2006. This is primarily a weekend tourism market, with travelers coming by overnight bus from on Since the 1990s, tourism has been a small but rapidly Thursday night and returning to Dhaka on Saturday growing sector of the economy in Bangladesh. Still, night. An example of increase of tourism in St. Martin’s Bangladesh is one of the countries in the South Asian Island indicates that 83,000 travelers visited in 2007 and region with the least arrivals with the lowest revenue 123,390 in 2008. Bengali nature lovers interested in earned from the tourism industry. Due to the potential these attractions represent roughly less than 1% of the of fast expansion in the tourism sector, it was identified visitors to Cox’s Bazar and 5% of the visitors traveling to 1 as the Thrust Sector by the government. The Lonely St. Martin’s Island in 2008. Thus, potential of revenues Planet Guide, world’s leading publishing travel guide from tourism alone opens up a new impetus to the elected Bangladesh as one of the top ten interesting country’s growing economy. travel destinations of the world in 2009.

In Bangladesh, real GDP growth for travel & tourism IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN TOURIST economy is expected to be 1.7% in 2010 and to average DESTINATIONS 6.4% per annum over the coming 10 years. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council estimate, the GDP Climate Events and Destination contribution is 3.9% (BDT 265.9bn) in 2010. Growth trend of tourism in current decade shows a sharp increase in It is important to determine impacts of climate change both domestic and foreign tourists in spectacular natural through weather-climate character changes in reserves of Cox’s Bazar, the Islands in Teknaf and identified vulnerable areas of tourist destinations. The St.Martin, the largest of the Sundarban, the following provides a brief account for perturbations for Hill Tracts, and wetlands of the district. climate events or pattern changes on important Besides these nature reserves, many cultural and destinations in Bangladesh covering coastal and heritage sites located across the country have been wetlands landscapes, islands, hilly areas and forests: gradually attracting domestic and foreign tourists. • Heavy and erratic rainfall: flooding of roads, According to Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation, there railways, buildings, campgrounds, slips leading to are at least 43 tourist destinations in Bangladesh with road closures, damage to bridges, damage to natural, cultural and archeological interests. Most of walking tracks, river, lake and coastline (in unison these destinations contain outdoor recreations on its with high tides etc.) flooding, flash floods, natural setting, attractive to both domestic and foreign cancellation of commercial activities. tourists. According to WTTC, Bangladesh Travel & • Strong wind, storminess: road closures, danger Tourism economy is ranked as: from falling trees and debris, slips, high seas close coastal roads, disruption to water (ferry crossing, • 82 in absolute size worldwide; scenic boat trips) and air transport (scheduled and • 173 in relative contribution to national scenic flights), power outages, cancellation of economies; commercial activities, danger for high vehicles. • 23 in long-term (10-year) growth. • Fog: transport disruptions, commercial activity cancellations. Tourism in Bangladesh is primarily characterized by • Drought and hot spells, long hot summer: closure outdoor and nature tourism peaking during the winter of recreation areas, damage to road and rail months and short public holidays. In 2005-2006 infrastructure, road closures, fire risks, algae bloom in periods, a total of 757,640 visitors travelled to different rivers, lakes and at beaches, reduced air quality from natural reserves and national parks. Peak period, dust and smoke, water shortages, low lake and river recorded as November-March was 76% of total visitors levels (less scenic, cancellation of activities),

1 Mukherjee, N., & Khan, M. F. (2009). Factoring Climate Change Considerations in the Design of Padma Multipurpose Bridge. Consultancy Report Prepared by the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS). Bangladesh Bridge Authority, Dhaka.

02 increases in wasps/mosquitoes, fire bans. Tourist cyclones, and storms disrupt whole business operation, potential may well decline as some wetlands supplies of amenities and livelihoods of local disappear, with a loss of ecological diversity and population which impose emergency disaster game fish are replaced by other varieties. More management before service economy from tourism generally, a decrease in lake water content, combined is given priority to rehabilitate at present in with higher temperatures, is likely to result in higher Bangladesh. Shock for visitors and difficulty of tour levels of near-shore pollution. Any persistent change managers to ensure security in remote and to warmer, drier conditions with an increased risk of communication absent areas can negatively affect forest and heathland fires may result in large areas current and future demand of tourists affecting being closed to summer visitors. directly on profitability. • Coastal flooding and erosion: erosion may occur in It is clear that weather can impact on all aspects of the the absence of climate change, however, there is tourist experience, particularly when enjoyment of mounting evidence pointing to the relationship experiences and tourist safety for independent between climate change effects, (including sea level activities are hampered. Cancellation of activities can rise, intense storms, or coral bleaching) and beach disrupt tourist flows in future in vulnerable areas. erosion. These changes pose an enormous threat to Certain aspects of tourism experiences impacted by tourism at the coastal destinations. Shoreline tourist climate change include the following: facilities and accommodation, beach sports and activities and access to beach will be hindered due Brand Image vs. Reality of Dissonance to climate change impacts. • Rising sea levels: likely to have profound effects for In Bangladesh, tourism is destination-based depending recreation along all marine shorelines. For a beach on scenic beauty, uniqueness and climate condition backed by a sea wall, as in many resort towns, the (e.g., monsoon rain, soothing winter etc.) in contrast to prediction is that increased erosion would lead to a other South Asian countries where leisure culture are lowering of the beach. Depending on the supply of diverse (e.g., health resorts, shopping, tourist festivals sand, the beach facility could be totally lost with etc.). Domestic tourist perception on tourist activities subsequent undermining of the stability of the sea are built on nature watch, coastal walks, cruising wall. Other coastal habitats used for recreation such amongst other socio-cultural interests. Thus, tour as sand dunes. Shingle banks and even soft earth operators and authorities use scenic beauty as brand hills would also be affected, as would build image which can be negatively affected because of recreational facilities along the shore. climate change impacts and extreme events. In many • Unseasonal weather: roads closures, trap outdoor instances, tour marketers use pristine and lush green recreationists, rescue attempts will be difficult. Often scenes to promote destinations, such as in Cox’s Bazar, several of these weather events can occur in unison St. Martin, and the Sundarban. (e.g., heavy rain and wind) and severe weather events may be very localized. There are also isolated Apprehension of tour marketers to depict threats is freak weather events that impact on tourists e.g. that, tourism can increase overtime with essentialist ‘trampers struck by falling trees’, tornado and view (tourists only need to know the destination for its lightning strikes, and so on. With a focus on short popular notion or by history) and embed the holiday or weekend tourists, particularly in coastal assumption of tourists lacking access to areas and islands of Bangladesh, tourists are quite destination-specific latest information from other vulnerable to weather conditions, while time sources. They fail to consider current and upcoming constraints mean that many tourists have little challenges to manage negative incidences in better scope to change their plans because of weather ways with fear of representational dissonance they encounter. For domestic tourists, forecast (Lowenthal, 1985) deterring tourist flows. Thus, weather and longer term weather patterns may questions such as the following have largely remained have more of an impact on their travel plans and unanswered: i) tourists’ subjective experiences of these holiday experience. transformed landscapes; ii) Tourist’s reaction to representational dissonance; iii) Perception of • Exposure to natural disasters: total damage to restoration/rehabilitation efforts within the vacation destination infrastructures and natural resources landscape; and iv) Ways in which changes influence which take time to rebuild or grow back. Losses from meanings they award the landscape. high floods, mudslides, prolonged water-logging,

03 Tourist Perception vs. Experience at Destination activities depend on a much wider range of atmospheric conditions. Warmer winter and excessive Further to add on lack of understanding tourist’s summer heat may result health hazards (e.g. perception on any change in destination for climate dehydration, heat strokes) to tourists requiring more events, their attitudes and experiences are not yet frequent and costly closures of outdoor activities. As accounted for assessing climate change impacts on more recreation parks are being developed in remote tourists (individual-independent to family or package areas, there will be a need for better climatic tour visitors). information and more local weather forecasting designed to warn of these dangers. Tourist Satisfaction in Changing Climate The resultant impacts of climate change on tourist Outdoor recreation and leisure are concentrated within satisfaction rely heavily upon activities adjustments or the appropriate ‘tourist seasons’ and key weather re-orientation in tourist spots. Wider impacts on thresholds or combinations which are required before infrastructure that tourism providers must pay for to most people are willing to participate in mainstream consider tourist satisfaction will impact on the taxpayer outdoor activities. Climate-specific or weather for infrastructure repairs and rescues for which dependent activities are also designed based on accommodation and food prices can rise. Moreover, human comfort and convenience. Climate change to activity providers sometimes need to provide more tourist satisfaction will require re-defining tourist equipment for tourist safety and enjoyment. seasons where possible and necessitate alternative recreation options to continue raising or maintaining Climate Change Risks and Impacts on Bangladesh tourist satisfaction. Major Tourist Spots

Whilst temperature is one of the main weather The following table gives a brief on climate change risks elements to consider, optimum conditions for many and direct and indirect impacts in some major tourist spots in Bangladesh:

Table: Climate Change Risks and Impacts on Major Tourist Spots in Bangladesh Places Risks Direct impacts Indirect impacts

Cox’s Bazar & Increased magnitude of costal Causality & high mortality Loss of summer tourism Teknaf Peninsula natural disasters Visit restriction Reduced local employments Long and short-term coastal inundation Loss of tourism High investment requirement infrastructures Loss of shorelines, land and Shift of tourist increased salinity for SLR Damage to roads, destination/facilities coastlines Minimization of development activities High degree of safety and efficiency requirement Sundarban Increased frequency of cyclones, Causality & high mortality Loss of government revenues storms of species No alternative to this Loss of species Lack of tourism facilities destination for expensive regular Coastal squeeze for increased rehabilitation costs salinity Increased travel costs Increasing natural coping inside Sundarban period Loss of flagship species with loss of the most attractive tourism subject

04 Places Risks Direct impacts Indirect impacts

North-east Increased flash floods Loss of habitats for Most vulnerable are local wetlands, & Untimely and high volume of wetland species, fisheries livelihoods of poor wetland birdwatching communities spots sediment loads and silt deposits Change in species changing drainage condition of composition, mainly Competing interests for waterbodies/flows aquatic development between local Shift to terrestrial areas from population and tourist facility wetlands providers Loss of net benefits in co-managed wetlands Mixed evergreen Increased mudslides, flash Causality & high Loss of conservation forests & hills in floods, sedimentation for mortality of species potentials CHT, Sylhet, North non-navigable areas eastern hills Loss of international & Lack of investments Reduced or extinction of domestic visitors biodiversity Social unrests & change in Migration of people and social security of climate Change in landscape Droughts species migrants and indigenous in north western hills, communities Madhupur Loss of indigenous cultures Shift of tourist destination/facilities

Archeological sites Physical damage & Loss of tourists Less importance on highly disappearance of vulnerable damaged sites for renovation structures from floods, erosion Loss of local income from high winds No alternative to this Accelerated deterioration destination of ancient sites High degree of safety and efficiency requirement

Cities, towns, ports Flooding and water-logging Causality & high mortality Losses reflecting on national and storms income Physical damage affecting all aspects of Restructuring and costly mobility and services rehabilitation requirement High degree of safety and efficiency requirement

Islands, chars Increasing disasters in Causality & high mortality Poorer coastal communities short-term Land, habitat to livelihood Social unrest relating to SLR threatening existence of distress floating population in tourist islands spots High degree of safety and Sandy chars affected by efficiency requirement High investments to drought infrastructures Shift of tourist destination/facilities

05 MANAGING CLIMATIC HAZARDS • Tourist operators: In many areas, tour operators are working to develop eco-tourism and nature-based Mitigation tourism along with the local communities. The planning and design of these areas include Tourism in Bangladesh is concentrated more on sustainable management and preservation of adaptation than mitigating through achieving carbon natural resources and natural heritages. Therefore, neutrality (carbon offset). The current low demand of air short and long-term impacts of climate change may travel and emission, when increased in future by high be easier to adopt than areas where no precaution tourist flows, will require attention to develop its own have been taken. However, most tour operators are carbon offset mechanism. Although many foreign not informed about climate change impacts except tourists these days consider carbon offsetting before for accruing losses from natural disasters in disaster they travel to countries like Bangladesh, such prone areas. Managing tours in disaster seasons and mechanism is yet to be adopted in the country. emergency responses will provide learning ground to internalize damages and build adaptive On the other hand, mitigation through increasing mechanisms. energy efficiency and reducing use of material-intensive products are beneficial and an • Tourist population: Adaptation option for tourist is embedded principle of sustainable tourism- a strategy limited to choices and preferences. Nevertheless, to develop socially and environmentally friendly their behaviour and attitude largely affect the sector. tourism base with increasing profitability within the Opportunities of developing alternative sector. Mitigation also serves as future savings and destinations and increasing diversity in tourism conservation of local resource for the local population activities in less vulnerable areas are important for and tour managers by maintain good quality tourism authority and managers. Tourist adaptation, environment and reducing waste of resources. thus, would mean changing or being open to inbound travel diversity and other activities when Adaptation seasonal or weather events change original plan.

Adaptation options to tourism encompass wide range • Local government: The role of local government is of cross-sectoral adaptation strategies as it is related to vital in managing disasters and in adapting to country’s social, environmental and economic climate change by creating necessary provisions sustainability. This imposes greater challenges to the and adjustments as well as in assisting tour tourism sector and adaptation strategies to develop in operators. Existing disaster management guidelines continuously depending on the need. Particularly for and enforcement of land use policies will be the tourism industry the following measures have imperative in addition to expanding existing become urgent: marketing strategies.

• Destination-based adaptation: This relates to There are some basic barriers challenging adaptation direct impacts of climate change which primarily measures which include the following: affect characteristics of the tourist sites, its natural resources and physical structures. Damages from • Limited understanding about climate risks and extreme events and consecutive adaptation entail vulnerabilities; rehabilitation and resilient design of physical Lack of supportive policies, standards, structures such as accommodation, transport, water • regulations, guidance and design; and energy supply along. Moreover, precautionary steps must be taken in planning and designing of • Existing regulatory restrictions and existing and future destinations matching types of enforceability gaps; disaster. Losses in natural landscapes and long-term • Lack of availability or restricted access to changes will be crucial to determine future appropriate technologies; orientation of the site and also impose a huge challenge to determine exact changes to • Costs of identified adaptation options in destination characteristics. For coastal landscape, limited budget; adaptation measures related to tourism goes • Lack of tourism land use zoning and beyond the industry as it would require hydrological management; and ecological management.

06 • Lack of availability of resources such as self-generate revenue enough for operation and in-house expertise; maintenance of the tour operations. The Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation (BPC), established in 1973 • Social/cultural/financial rigidity and conflicts; operates low-cost tourism establishments throughout • Short-term nature of planning horizons, the country which depend on operations limited to necessity of realising return on investment; government management of tourism infrastructure. • Level of uncertainty. Ministry of Tourism Policies (2009) and Strategic Master Plan FINANCING ADAPTATION IN THE TOURISM Master plans are under preparation for development of SECTOR Cox's Bazar up to Teknaf, St. Martins Island and also for area. Formation of Cox's Bazar Development By Decision 1/COP13, the Bali Action Plan in 2007 had Authority and declaring Kuakata as a municipality are set out four components of which finance constitute a under process for implementation and supervision of fundamental element. In current climate change planned development. A time bound plan up to the year negotiations on-going activities on finance include – 2014 and another up to 2021 are also prepared. mechanism of channelling funds and fund flows, institutional arrangement and responsibility Another bill is drafted to form a national tourism board identification, cluster identification for fund allocation, on the concept of public-private sector partnership. actors in financing, developing knowledge on possible The function of the board would be to formulate, financing instruments and policy reform needs, coordinate, supervise and implement activities relating implementation of environmental policy instruments to overall development of tourism. and voluntary contribution as mitigation strategies by the developed countries. Most of the international Revision of national Tourism Policy 1996 has become funds to reduce climate change risks and impacts are essential given the current dynamics of the sector, its focused on tourism-based threatened nations such as current rate of growth and new challenges. Since young the Small Island States, tourism-service based diverse nature of the industry lays out many market nations and nature-tourism based middle income opportunities including building resilient structures, nations. For Bangladesh, although the loss is high in creation of access points to safe tourist activities and terms of resources and local population, priority to re-defining institutional collaborative support along allocate funds to aid to tourism losses is less priority in with public-private partnerships. The Master Plans comparison to those countries. under preparation need to address climate change adaptation and mitigation.

POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS Institutional Arrangement for Tackling Climatic Change The National Tourism Policy (1992) Managing climate change and its hazards in Bangladesh The National Tourism Policy of Bangladesh (1992) is a collective effort comprising public, private sectors. examines the importance of tourism as a means to Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and BPC require attract foreign exchange; increase opportunity for cooperation to understand and assess climate change budget tourism for ; preserving and impacts for which Ministry of Environment and Forests is maintaining the tourism resources of the country; entrusted with. In BCCSAP 2009, monitoring impacts of alleviate poverty, create a more favourable image of the various issues related to management of tourism in country; open opportunity for investment; more Bangladesh and implementation of priority action plan recreation, and fostering cultural heritage and has been included as a programme under its Research traditions of the country. It emphasizes on and knowledge management theme. establishments of hospitality in a way that would

07 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ardent actions on assessing, understanding and monitoring climate change impacts on service sector There is little doubt that climate change and climate having high national income potential are required. variability can cause devastating consequences around Bangladesh has already adopted the principle of sustainable tourism. The United Nations World Tourism the world, particularly, in the Least Developing Organization defines sustainable tourism – “tourism Countries (LDCs) such as in Bangladesh. With existing that meets the needs of present tourists and host socio-economic vulnerability and poverty of the regions while protecting and enhancing opportunity country in an economically unstable global market, for the future.” With given problems emerging across Bangladesh has significant task in front to manage tourism sector, climate change must be placed within existing and upcoming challenges like climate change. the sustainable tourism development context. This can lay foundation to support adaptation and mitigation Global literature and reports from relevant bodies on measures within the scope of sustainable tourism climate change have collectively asserted the need to operations in Bangladesh. urgently understand and asses the impacts on tourism industry by case and nation. At present, for Bangladesh,

Ministry of Environment and Forests Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Financial Support: DFID and DANIDA

Embassy of Denmark