Climate Change’s Impact on the Caribbean’s Ability to Sustain Tourism, Natural Assets, and Livelihood

This analytical report analyzes climate change impact on tourism in the Caribbean. It highlights several implications for this sector, including altered seasonality, desertification and floods, damages caused by increased incidence of natural hazards, coastal erosion and loss of beach areas, and loss of natural and archeological attractions. Therefore climate change not only threatens the environment but also the economy of the Caribbean and the livelihoods of its people. The report presents some political responses to this challenge and concludes with recommendations for government and business decision makers and regional groups in the tourism sector.