The Pacific Islands, renowned for their clear waters, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests, are a vital hub for tourism, which sustains many local economies. However, the region’s travel industry is increasingly anxious about the repercussions of ongoing climate change.
Christopher Cocker, chief executive of the Pacific Tourism Organisation, emphasizes that Pacific Island leaders have identified climate change as the greatest threat to the livelihoods and well-being of their communities. He warns that without prompt and innovative measures, the future of tourism in the area is uncertain.
All Pacific Islands are at risk from climate change, but low-lying atolls like Tuvalu, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia face heightened threats, including rising sea levels, issues with accessing clean drinking water, and severe weather changes leading to prolonged droughts. Additionally, the potential for more intense tropical storms is a significant concern.
Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has indicated that climate models predict a future with fewer but more severe cyclones. In Tonga, residents are already experiencing an increase in stronger storms. Sione Taufa, an associate dean at the University of Auckland Business School, notes a growing frequency of category four and five cyclones hitting the islands.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has underscored this peril during a recent visit to Tonga, urging the world’s major polluters to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, stressing that small Pacific islands contribute little to climate change yet suffer significantly from its effects.
Fiji, an important destination for nearly a million visitors last year, is also grappling with climate change. Marica Vakacola of the Mamanuca Environment Society in Nadi highlights the risks of freshwater contamination due to rising salinity and the deterioration of beaches, as well as the occurrence of coral bleaching linked to temperature fluctuations.
The potential for conflict over water resources is growing, according to Susanne Becken, a sustainable tourism professor at Griffith University. She points to burgeoning competition for increasingly scarce freshwater supplies between tourists and local communities.
Research conducted by Prof Becken in Fiji and the Cook Islands suggests a degree of denial among some islanders regarding climate change, as many feel powerless to influence the global issue. Conversations about adapting to climate change and its impacts on tourism can be complex and avoided in favor of focusing on tourism revival.
In the Cook Islands, Brad Kirner, director of destination development at the tourism corporation, acknowledges that addressing the realities of global warming poses challenges within the community. He emphasizes the need for adaptation strategies while recognizing travel’s contribution to climate change.
Despite the difficulties, there is a resilient spirit among these isolated nations. Community networks and kinship ties are strong, as highlighted by Sione Taufa, who notes the importance of mutual support among neighbors during crises. Residents are willing to accept help following disasters, but they also strive to sustain themselves independently.