Journal du tourisme et de l'hôtellerie
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Abstrait

Beach Carrying Capacity at Touristic 3S Destinations: Its Significance, Projected Decreases and Adaptation Options under Climate Change

Isavela N. Monioudi*, Adonis F. Velegrakis

The objective of this short contribution is to discuss a most significant emerging challenge for the 3S tourism: The reduction of the beach carrying capacity for recreation due to the erosion brought by climate change. Projections on the potential carrying capacity reductions of two major touristic island 3S destinations in the Mediterranean (Santorini, Greece) and the Caribbean (Saint Lucia) are presented. The results show severe impacts on the carrying capacity of all beaches in these islands. By 2050 and under the moderate RCP 4.5 scenario, up to 50% of the Santorini beaches will permanently retreat by 50% of their current recorded maximum width due to the relative sea level rise, whereas under the 100-year extreme storm conditions at least 67% of all beaches will be completely (at least temporarily) inundated, exposing backshore assets to flooding. Under the same scenario and date, up to 34% of all St Lucian beaches may permanently retreat by more than 50% of their present maximum width, whereas under the extreme (1-100 year) storm event more than 50% of the beaches will suffer total erosion, at least temporarily. It appears that costly adaptation measures will be required to maintain the beach carrying capacity in 3S tourism destinations, particularly beach nourishment schemes. Management of the beach carrying capacity problem requires mainstreaming of the assessment of, and the response to beach erosion within the tourism development and management strategies and plans; both require considerable human, technological and financial resources which should be (at least) assessed as a matter of urgency.