Outlook on Climate Change Adaptation in the South Caucasus Mountains

Armenia’s Tourism Development Concept Paper (2010–2030) (USAID/CAPS n/a) recognises tourism’s vulnerability to climate change threats, however, this is only in the long run. The policy paper in a general way states that climate change may affect the ability and capacities of Armenia to promote sustainable tourism. At the same time the country’s mountain and high mountain regions are considered only as potential tourist attractions to be developed. Among the principles and values listed in the concept paper: are sustainable development, biodiversity and environmental protection, and rural community involvement. On the other hand, Armenia’s INDC (MoNP 2015) highlights the vulnerability of tourist attractions to climate change and sets up measures to adapt to changing weather conditions. Azerbaijan, so far, has had two state programmes on tourism development but none of these are in force at this stage. However, the country recognises tourism as a key development sector (President of Azerbaijan n/a) and currently is in the process of drafting a new tourism strategy – it is not known whether the new strategy will consider climate change issues or not. Georgia will finalise its Tourism Development Strategy for 2015–2025 by the end of 2015 (USAID/CAPS n/a). Similarly to Azerbaijan, at this stage it is not known whether the new strategy will incorporate climate change and adaptation considerations or not. The tourism development strategies of all the three countries should consider climate change not only as a factor directly impacting tourist mobility and numbers (shifting of tourist seasons), but should also address the vulnerability of tourist infrastructure to different natural disasters triggered by climate change. The policies should also reflect general standards of tourist security and safety under climate change considerations.

Snowboarding in Georgia

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