Climate Change Threatens Tourism in Developing World
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...By Shamsydeen Badmus
Published: October 22, 2009
Climate Change Threatens Tourism in Developing World
Shamsydeen Badmus/Lagos
Climate change is putting at risk one of the most lucrative industries for many of the world’s poorest countries: global tourism. The United Nations World Tourism Organization issued the warning yesterday, saying rising sea levels and melting snow caps could devastate both coastal and ski holiday spots. International tourism is the main source of foreign exchange in almost all so-called least developed countries (LDCs), according to the UN. In 2006 tourism generated 735 billion US dollars in revenue, a third of which went to developing countries. The industry also contributes to five per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, mostly because of air transportation. However, UNWTO warned that limiting flights to cut down emissions could harm developing countries that rely heavily on tourism.
