Climate change and adaptation in the Zimbabwean nature-based tourism industry

ABSTRACT

Weather and climate are vital for Nature-Based Tourism (NBT). Weather influences tourists’ experience, while climate affects the timing of the season and attractions. This influence is particularly apparent in southern Africa, which has limited adaptive capacity to climate change. Particularly in Zimbabwe, the NBT industry is dependent on and affected by weather and climatic changes. It is important to investigate how the NBT industry in Zimbabwe is adapting to these changes. Through a qualitative approach, this study examines the adaptation strategies applied by NBT proprietors in four provinces around Zimbabwe, encompassing the major NBT destinations. The results reveal location-specific adaptation strategies. With the current and projected temperature increases and reduction in precipitation, there is a need for urgent adaptive action.

KEYWORDS:

• Tourism
• climate change
• adaptation
• nature-based tourism
• Zimbabwe

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Johannesburg; Prof. Jennifer Fitchett receives operational support funding from GENUS - DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Palaeoscience