Climate Change Adaptation

In partnership with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Hospitality NL is leading a three-year project with the support of Natural Resources Canada and the provincial Department of Environment and Climate Change, to increase education and awareness in the sector regarding the effects climate change will have on the tourism industry and to assist business owners in identifying risks and developing adaptation measures for their businesses and regions.

Through research, education, and awareness, the project will enhance understanding of the impacts of climate change and why this is important to the tourism sector. The project is focused on outfitting, marine-based tourism experiences, and winter tourism.

In November 2022, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador completed its research paper, titled “Tourism Beyond COVID-19 – Climate Change Adaptation project for Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.” The report provides a high-level summary of provincial climate projections and key impacts the industry will face over the coming decades as a result of climate change.

As part of the final report, a Risk Assessment Tool was created to guide tourism business owners in achieving the following objectives:

  • Understand which climate parameters are relevant to their business;
  • Understand the future projections for each relevant climate parameter identified;
  • Identify the impacts and risks that climate change may have on their business, as they relate to each specific parameter;
  • Prioritize risks according to which are most likely to impact their business and the severity of those impacts; and
  • Understand the long-term benefits of investing in adaptation measures in the shorter term.

The tool walks the business owner through a series of steps aimed at achieving the above objectives. As business owners complete each step, they will fill out an accompanying workbook to organize information and keep track of findings. Once each step is completed, and the workbook is filled out, the business owner will have conducted a risk assessment specific to their business. The risk assessment process is intended to prioritize a shortlist of risks for consideration of investment in climate resilience measures.