How to Weather Climate Change

What resorts should do to prepare.

Climate change has affected tourism in many ways, from small islands sinking as oceans rise, to aircraft experiencing more turbulence on routes affected by shifts in the jet stream. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods are becoming more common, and it’s vital that resorts be prepared. “Nowhere is immune to these kinds of weather events,” says Siobhan O’Neill, communications manager for the International Tourism Partnership and editor of the online publication Green Hotelier. “It may not be possible to always blame climate change, but there’s no doubt that weather patterns are changing dramatically and these kinds of events are becoming far more common.”

The first step is to develop a disaster plan tailored to the types of extreme weather events your resort is most vulnerable to. Gullies can help channel floods, seawalls can protect against tidal surges, and storm shutters can protect windows and doors. Build up a supply of generators, water, extra bedding, flashlights and other necessities to house guests safely during a severe storm, and designate internal rooms as shelters. It’s especially important, O’Neill says, to establish evacuation routes. “The fact is, there’s little anyone can do if they’re in the path of the kind of natural disasters that have happened in the past year,” O’Neill says. “The best thing is to ensure guests have a safe escape route should the worst happen.”

John Dishinger, business development director, Caribbean, for RCI cautions not to underestimate the damage a storm can do. He recommends stocking up on nonperishables ahead of time and putting together a big-picture disaster plan:

• Have adequate shelters for residents
• Encourage tourists to leave the area before the storm, if possible
• Make medical assistance available
• Remember that ensuring the health and safety of visitors and residents is the number one priority

A disaster plan can help you prepare for the worst, but it won’t prevent an extreme weather event. “In the long term, resorts need to be doing everything they can to mitigate climate change,” O’Neill says. International Tourism Partnership’s November 2017 Hotel Global Decarbonisation Report recommends that the hotel sector decouple its continued growth from its carbon footprint and reduce its carbon footprint by 66 percent by 2030, then by 90 percent by 2050. That means reducing waste, eliminating plastic, switching to renewable energy and practicing good water stewardship. (See here for more on green practices.)

After the disaster has passed? Focus on not only your resort’s recovery but also the surrounding community, Dishinger says. Caribbean islands prioritized the following after Hurricane Maria:

• Recovering infrastructure, including basic services such as power, hospitals and schools, was the first goal.
• Restoring access to transportation, such as airports and ports
• Rebuilding hotels and condominiums
• Promoting the destinations in the main feeder markets

Recovery is a group effort. According to Dishinger, it is hard to survive and recover from an extreme disaster without the full support of the community and international aid groups. Resorts should partner with the government, private sector and international organizations to help their destination open for tourism again. (To learn more about how the Caribbean is doing today, read here.)

Image credit: iStockphoto