Tourism Sector in Barbados

At a few degrees above the equator, Barbados is perfectly positioned as a tropical paradise.

The sun, surf and coral sand beaches are an easy sell that draws more than half a million visitors to the island each year. This could all change if what is now seen as a sunny, relaxing clime becomes too hot for comfort or if the beaches disappear under rising sea levels.

These changes are some of the possibilities CARIBSAVE detailed in its 2010 economic assessment on the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector in Barbados.  A report commissioned by United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Tourism is the mainstay of Barbados’ economy and the industry is expected to grow in the country and throughout the region. The sector contributes about 12 percent directly to the economy and employs more than 13,000 people.  And its real impact is much wider, touching the water, energy and agriculture sectors, to name a few. Therefore, any threat to the industry as a whole presents grave dangers to the jobs and livelihoods of people working throughout the tourism chain.

And climate change presents such threats. Sea levels are rising, temperatures are increasing and rainfall patterns are shifting.

Consequently, the report specifically investigated the diverse effects global climatic shifts are likely to have on the island and its tourism-driven economy. The main issues that emerged were damage to coral reefs, destruction of land and property due to sea level rise and “tourist mobility” - travellers heading elsewhere as the destination becomes less attractive.

The researchers also looked at a range of options the island and its people could invest in, to offset the potentially devastating losses. The options offered relatively high benefits compared to the costs involved and would be straightforward to implement. They included better reef monitoring systems to provide early warnings of bleaching events and artificial reefs for encouraging the growth of coral and fish habitat.  Both would protect the marine ecosystem and thereby the beaches.

Tourism is at the heart of the Barbadian economy and central to the challenges shaped by climate change. Similarly, CARIBSAVE is at the heart of efforts to ensure that Barbados retains its natural beauty and ability to sustain itself as an island tourism destination.

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For further information contact: Dr. Murray Simpson, lead author of the study, murray.simpson@caribsave.org

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