Climate change can have lasting effects on the Tourism & Hospitality Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Areas Effected:

1.) Newfoundland and Labrador Farmers

2.) Fisheries

3.) Tour Operators/ Outdoor Events

4.) Agriculture and Food Production

5.) Water Supply

6.) Transportation

7.) Energy

8.) Ecosystems

9.) Medical & Health Care Systems

10.) Cruise Sector

Direct Impacts on NL Tourism:

1.) Seaside tourism seems likely to suffer damage from most of the effects of climate change, notably beach erosion, higher sea levels, greater damage from seas surges and storms, and reduced water supply. However, while some regions may see a diminution of demand from the leisure traveller, others – currently less important as tourism destinations – may see an increase. (SOURCE)

2.) In Mountain regions, it seems very probable that ultimately demand for winter sports will diminish. The season will shorten, opportunities for young people to learn the sports will diminish, demand pressures on high altitude resorts will increase (which in tur could raise environmental pressures and cause further damage). Summer seasons, meanwhile, could lengthen, and generate increased demand, although this could bring further negative environmental consequences. (SOURCE)

3.) The balance of costs and benefits is illustrated by the situation in the Artic, where a longer summer season might benefit cruise tourism and activities such as whale watching, but short winters could reduce the range of Artic fauna and flora which attracts some visitors. (SOURCE)

4.) Whatever the environmental outcome, tourism cannot be seen in isolation. Major changes in the pattern of demand will lead to wider impacts on many areas of economic and social policy – such as, for example, in employment and labour demands and in regional policy issues such as housing, transport, and social infrastructure. Knock-on effects could influence other sectors, such as agriculture supplying tourism demand, handicraft industries, local small business networks and so on. (SOURCE)

5.) With the apparent exception of winter sports, unless climate change leads to a net loss in demand for leisure tourism, a loss of demands for a given destination or type of destination may well lead to increases in demand for alternative destinations. Whether a net environmental gain or loss results from such key changes will partly depend on the ability of the tourism industry to raise its sustainability. (SOURCE)