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Tourism is one of the most important industries. It is also one of the main generators of
income. In the last few decades, the tourism industry has grown significantly and, as a labour
intensive industry, has given rise to a multitude of new employment opportunities. On the
other hand, however, the huge infrastructural and resource demands of tourism can have
severe impacts upon local communities and the environment if they are not properly managed.
Climate-related impacts of tourism include transport (road, air and train travel), high per capita
consumption of water and energy, and effects on flora and fauna. Problems with waste, as well
as rising food prices in tourism destinations, are also serious issues. Major changes in the
pattern of demand in the tourism sector, including a loss of demand for a given destination or
type of destination, may well lead to increases in demand for alternative destinations. Changes
in travel destinations will affect the economic, social and ecological situation in both current
and emerging destinations.
Economic impacts will probably include less income as destinations degrade, tourism
decreases, and tourism-related services and travelling become more expensive. These impacts
will minimize employment and self-employment opportunities.
Social impacts of climate change on tourism will presumably include migration away from
previous destination areas and migration towards new regions.
Environmental impacts of climate change on tourism will probably include negative effects on
natural attractions. The natural characteristics of some destinations may become unattractive
to tourists through environmental degradation, while an increasing number and severity of
extreme weather events may make destinations unsafe and therefore unappealing to tourists.
Gender dimensions
There are numerous significant linkages between tourism and gender. Gender aspects affect
women’s employment in tourism, women’s participation in planning and management, gender
roles, women’s rights and sexual objectification just as migration.
Child labour is a well-known problem in the tourism sector and affects both girls and boys. Girls
are additionally impacted by the risk of sexual harassment and abuse. In many tourism
destinations, spreading prostitution has caused an increase in severe and often life-threatening
diseases, in particular for women. Prostitution often coincides with abuse and violence against
women, and can have severe consequences for social integration.
Where women were not members of the paid workforce before tourism was established at a
destination area, their entering the workforce can cause changes in family structures, as the
economic balance in the family shifts. The working conditions for unskilled employees, who are
mostly women and children, are mostly sub-standard. Additionally, the time spent undertaking
paid work often collides with women’s responsibilities for family and home. Women also
receive significantly lower wages than men, as many studies have pointed out.
Tourism also impacts those people in destination areas who are not directly involved in the
sector. Existing research shows that the production and consumption of fresh water, food, fuel,
land use and transport are gender-specific responsibilities. Due to their comparative lack of
financial resources and role as a provider of food, water and energy, women may be hit harder
than men by increasing food, water or energy prices.
Our Response
There is an absence of gender-disaggregated information for the tourism sector. In the context
of climate change, it will be important to address the impact of decreasing tourism in specific
destinations. Linkages with other sectors, such as agriculture, health and education, will further
understanding about the complexity of impacts on women’s lives.
Opportunities to use tourism development to further gender equity should be used, while any
discrimination of women through the course of tourism development should be avoided.
Participatory strategies of tourism planning and development, including gender sensitive
indicators, are key to achieving these goals.
Women’s organizations, consumer associations, tourism companies, media and marketing
experts should cooperate in developing tools for raising consumer awareness about the
climate-related impacts of travel and tourism, especially on women.
To achieve the aim of reducing GHG emissions caused by travelling, it is important to undertake
research related to the travellers themselves. Who travels, for which purpose, and how? Do
women and men make different choices when travelling?
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