Starting workshop for adaptation to climate change for the tourism sector – ADAPTUR

Adaptation to Climate Change based on Ecosystems with the Tourism Sector

The tourism sector is directly confronted with the impacts of climate change, nowadays the temperatures are increasing; the sea level is also rising, the degradation of its beaches and the arrival of more hurricanes. The diving business depends on the coral reefs with their flora and fauna. At the same time, many destinations in the interior of the country face the loss of their ecosystems, the reduction of their biodiversity and the reduction of the natural water supply.

It is estimated that only between 2000 and 2014 the tourism sector in Mexico has suffered an annual loss from climatic damages of 1.4 to 14.700 billion dollars. That is 30% more than in the last 20 years.

The objective of ADAPTUR is to support the tourism sector to adapt to climate change and thereby reduce risks, protecting its natural assets such as beaches, reefs, jungles and / or biodiversity. It also seeks to preserve the services provided by ecosystems, for example: water supply, protection against hurricanes, floods, landslides, etc.

ADAPTUR is a project funded by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Protection and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and is part of the International Climate Protection Initiative (IKI).

The project is implemented by the German Cooperation for Sustainable Development (GIZ), the Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) through the Directorate General of Sustainable Tourism Management (DGOTS), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) through the General Directorate of Policies for Climate Change (DGPCC), the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and the National Institute of Ecology and Climate Change (INECC).

Currently this project works with three tourist destinations in Mexico: Riviera Nayarit-Jalisco (Mexican Pacific), San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato (Bajío) and Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo (Mexican Caribbean). Each one is represented by a Technical Advisor who coordinates the activities of the project and provides technical assistance through holding informative events, facilitating public-private dialogues, also provides technical training for at least 300 people and has proposals that allow mobilizing funds for projects that cushion in climate change. The project also facilitates access to international know-how (studies, concepts, methodology, etc.) and exchange with other projects in Latin America.

The project works under a scheme of Public-Private Cooperation, seeks the participation of companies, entrepreneurs, associations, foundations, etc. And from the social sector CSOs, communities, academia, etc. To develop solutions and shared actions among all those involved in the tourism sector. For this reason last November 14 took place in the Business Center of Nuevo Vallarta starting workshop in the Riviera Nayarit – Jalisco, with the intention to better understand the current situation of the destination.

This workshop had the participation of more than 70 people related to tourism. It was attended by the ADEPM and also by business representatives, government, social foundations, and educational institutions, among others. Information was collected on the good environmental practices carried out by each company and the threats faced in the region.

In addition, each one shared the way they could contribute to allow the realization of this program according to their possibilities. Substantial information was obtained, which will be shared with all the participants once ADAPTUR synthesizes it and establishes a path of action with it.