Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Nature-Based Tourism: Developing Vulnerability and Resilience Indices for Protected Areas to Guide Adaptation Strategies

Croatian Science Foundation

Project title: Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Nature-Based Tourism: Developing Vulnerability and Resilience Indices for Protected Areas to Manage Adaptation Strategies – PACT-VIRA (Protected Areas Climate Tourism – Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment)

Project lead: Institute for Tourism

Project partners: Croatian Geological Survey, University of Zagreb Faculty of Geotechnical Engineering, Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb Faculty of Economics and Business, Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development – Institute for Environment and Nature, XV Gymnasium (MIOC) Zagreb

Role of the Vis Archipelago Geopark: Associated partner

Brief description:
Tourism in protected natural areas represents a significant segment of the global economy and plays an important role in the conservation of natural resources. However, as climate change intensifies, these areas are increasingly exposed to various threats that may significantly affect their sustainability and attractiveness as tourism destinations.

It is therefore important to investigate how climate change affects tourism in protected natural areas, both directly and indirectly, and to develop monitoring systems, indicators and composite indices that will support the continuous implementation of adaptation strategies and contribute to the long-term sustainability of tourism activities.

The project applies an interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise in nature and environmental protection, tourism management, climate modelling, hydrology and socioeconomic analysis. By developing vulnerability and resilience indices specifically tailored to protected areas, the research will contribute to more informed decision-making and more effective management of the impacts of climate change on nature-based tourism.

The ultimate goal is to strengthen the long-term sustainability and resilience of protected areas, while maximising the socioeconomic benefits of nature-based tourism for local communities and preserving biological and landscape diversity.

The proposed indices will be developed and tested in three pilot areas representing different ecological and geographical regions of Croatia: Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the mountainous region of Croatia; Kopački Rit Nature Park, an important floodplain ecosystem in continental Croatia and a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention; and the Vis Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark in the central Adriatic, recognised for its exceptional geological heritage.

Total project budget: EUR 177,040.00

Implementation period: April 2024 – June 2025

Contact at the Vis Archipelago Geopark: Lana Schmidt – lana.schmidt@geopark-vis.com

The content of this text is the sole responsibility of the Vis Archipelago Geopark Association and cannot under any circumstances be considered as reflecting the views of the Croatian Science Foundation.

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