Fifteenth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

In the post-COVID world tourism will once again become a major factor in global economics. Local economies that have been devastated by the loss of tourism will be looking for ways to draw visitors back to their beaches, cities, and mountains. The impacts of tourism on the environment are significant and well-studied. Nature based solutions have gained attention as a more responsible approach to managing resources and implementing policies to mitigate climate change and protect natural resources, but assessing their viability and effectiveness remains underdeveloped. This research builds on the work of Nathalie Seddon, Alexandre Chausson, Pam Berry, Cécile A. J. Girardin, Alison Smith and Beth Turner and their paper “Understanding the value and limits of nature-based solutions to climate change and other global challenges” published in January 2020. In their work they propose a systems-thinking framework to better understanding and implementing nature-based solutions. Economic, political, social, and ecosystem research must all be considered in order to understand the complexities and costs of incorporating nature-based solutions. This paper applies that thinking to tourism locally and globally. It argues that more consistent systemic approaches to developing visitor experiences are needed to protect ecosystems and mitigate climate change.