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Climate change impacts and risks: insights for tourism development in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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Abstract

Concern over climate change impacts and risks on tourism spaces is increasing in the context of global south with limited adaptive capacities. This study examines the impact and risk of climate change phenomenon on tourism development in Victoria Falls. In-depth interviews with nineteen managerial employees purposively selected from Victoria Falls tourism stakeholders were employed. Thematically analysed findings identified the retreating of the iconic falls and drying of the rainforest as the most visible signs of climate change impacts, which posed significant risks on tourism development. Additionally, climate change-induced disruption of the ‘normal’ tourism business cycle coupled with shortened tourists’ vacation time and reduced spending patterns significantly affected tourism operators’ revenue margins. Furthermore, climate change affected the critical elements of tourism development namely image, brand, investment and goodwill; jeopardising the future prospects of tourism business. The study recommended inter-sectoral collaborations and addressing of climate change information asymmetry among stakeholders.

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The datasets generated during the current study are not publicly available due to the need to protect individual privacy but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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  1. Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Sciences, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe

    Zibanai Zhou

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  1. Zibanai Zhou
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Zhou, Z. Climate change impacts and risks: insights for tourism development in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. SN Soc Sci 3, 159 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-023-00749-w

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