Adaptation strategies to climate change in the tourist sector: The case of coastal tourism in Spain

Abstract

Tourism activities, that are very important in the Spanish Mediterranean coast since 60s, have been described as highly vulnerable to climate change. Diversifi cation of the tourism and tourist products are often presented as a possible strategy for adapting to the eff ects of climate change. Th e present study explores the initiatives in product diversifi cation that are being put into practice in the Spanish Mediterranean coastal tourism sector. To this end, the study focuses on the analysis of the experiences of the rural tourism sector as an alternative to sun-and-sand tourism in the Alt Empordà (Costa Brava, North-eastern Spain). Methodology of this research is based in two aspects: a) desk research of relevant public documents aimed to promote the diversifi cation of the tourist sector; b) regional survey of rural tourism establishments. Th e analysis reveals a process of diversifi cation that is characterised by spontaneous developments that lack planning and shows an absence of product structuring in accordance with a segmentation of the market. Given these characteristics, the process of diversifi cation that has taken place will not contribute to increasing adaptation's capacity of tourism to climate change or, consequently, to reducing its level of vulnerability.