Words: 2028
Also business world has to consider their futures behavior. Are we working in an energy-efficient environment? Do we waste resources? Are our distribution channels sustainable? But as always some are hidden harder than others. A branch which has to concern deeply is the tourism industry. Their core products are not recoverable goods or services. Tourism industry mainly consists of sit unique environment. This are their most worthwhile resources. Cities and landscape areas do not notice a strong change yet, even not in a negative manner.
Whereas regions around the alpine massive are already effected seriously. Especially winter tourism destinations are in charge of the climatic change by winters with little snow ND changes of environment, the flora and fauna. Because tourism sector is an important source of income for the Alpine region, responsible solutions have to be developed. By climate change Alpine tourism destinations cannot achieve the same turnover as in previous years during winter seasons. Therefore it is needed to make a change in strategy to survive in future.
As we will see this duty of shift can be both, bone and bane. The overall impact of global warming on tourism industry in case of Alpine winter destinations will be discussed in this essay. In paragraph two the global warming and its uniqueness as well as the impact on Alpine region is reviewed. In the next part potential solutions are mentioned. Paragraph four shows feasible example of successfully operating Alpine winter destination. Current projects of the destinations are mentioned and how they try to adapt the issue of global warming.
Finally the conclusion summarizes the findings in this essay and gives an overview of my personal opinion concerning the mentioned subject. 2. Global warming and its impact on Alpine Region Due to several tourists statistics and researches, Alpine winter tourism destinations are in a process of change. The main issue, the global warming, cannot be improved by short-term acts. Nevertheless the fact that something has to be changed includes both, opportunities and risks for every destination affected (Mјleer et al. , 2008, p. 14). Our climate is changing.
This point is proofed from various scientific sources. In future the weather is going to be more extreme in both ways. In other words winters will contain high precipitation and summers with high heat and dryness will be more often. This issue has a high impact on tourism industry since especially Swiss tourism mainly convinces with its beautiful nature and its unique landscape. Thus to take care about the natural environment and the stunning landscape is on high interest for the branch. A responsible handling of the given resources as well as a sustainable development is challenged.
At the same time the tourism industry is one of the strongest producer of the CO emission. Accordingly an on-going interaction between producing and reducing is required. Furthermore the Alpine region is strongly depended on tourists income, long-term solutions have to be found. The following description of the current situation makes the duty even more reasonable. Alpine winter destinations that are situated in lower altitudes, means beneath 1 ‘300 meters above sea level, are hidden by winters with little snow. The last 30 years the preternaturally in Switzerland got up around 0. 70 C every decade (WSDL, 201 1). For alpine winter destinations this is a significant issues, since to guarantee snow is an important requirement. In the mentioned altitudes, snow is often very close to the melting point and therefore it reacts very sensitive to changes in temperature. A strong warming leads to rain instead of snow and the fallen snow melts rapidly, especially in this praline ands. This is followed by winters with little snow (SALE 2011). Costumers generally expect a white landscape with deeply snowed slopes. Moreover they want to experience real winter feeling what is no longer given.
Deep white winters are getting more and more rare. Destinations located in higher altitudes, means over 2’000 meters above sea level, do not announce yet a climate-induced decline of snow (SELF, 2011 However also they have to be concerned about global warming. Still they are not affected by winters with little snow, sit natural environment is changing too. Glaciers, with whom early-starting winter season could be provided, are melting rapidly. Furthermore areas covered with permafrost are decreasing. The changing of ground due to the melting of permafrost will lead to a significant shift of the ground level.
Due to this fact Alpine winter destinations on higher altitudes need to deal with upcoming natural dangers as earth slips and rock falls. Alpine winter destinations are not able to naturally provide winter as guests estimate. Besides little snow winters makes the seasons even shorter. When a season years ago started in early November and ended after eastern break, estimations had about five months to generate a positive turnover. In future they cannot rely on this income, because it is not naturally guaranteed anymore. Alternative solutions have to be discussed.
Due to the mentioned difficulties alpine winter destinations need to act. The reaction should be in lasting view, because global warming cannot be stopped and so need to be adapted in future activities. 3. Potential Solution As we know now, there is at least one very important difficulty that urges Alpine winter destinations to act. The issue is well known in every affected area, but not every reaction IS successful (Risen, 201 1, p. ). Additionally to the mentioned problems, an increasing competition on the market and soared standards of guests need to be predicted, when searching for possible solutions.
This makes it even harder, especially for small Alpine winter destinations with low budgets, to improve their strategy in long-term. One potential solution for the upcoming efforts is the application of artificial snow. This is a potential strategy of adoption, which solves the fact of snow-poor winters (Risen, 2011). Through artificial Snow blower the season can be expanded again. Furthermore wallpapered slopes can satisfy the risen tankards of customers. Therewith Alpine winter destinations respond to the implications of observed changes (COED, 2007, p. ). But artificial showcasing requires a development of technology as well as a huge amount of water and energy. This is directly connected to high cost and a responsible handling of water resources. Even though showcasing was proven cost- effective, such estimates are based only on the direct financial costs to ski operations and do not include the potential externalities of such practices on water consumption, energy demand, landscape, or ecology. Therefore this attention solutions only can be adapted in regions where a high budget is given.
A further potential solution which is highly discussed is to focus on other strengths of Alpine winter destinations. It is suggested to offer a diverse and qualitative valuable range of activities (Risen, 2011 , p. 2). This includes to make costumers aware of additional opportunities about what could be taken into action around the destination and also, to create a new range of activities. Not just winters but also summers are going to be warmer, as already described above. For destinations with high altitudes it is quite costive effect.
So this is an important opportunity, which has to be noticed, when thinking about solving this problem. Since the heat will be unbearable in lower altitudes as cities and lakeside, alpine regions can charge. The fresh summer breeze in higher altitudes express a good alternative. Besides increasing winter tourism, an improvement of summer offers seems to be a long lasting approach. By implementing trend sports or putting a new complexion on traditional activities, a new target audience can be addressed. Therewith the dependence on winter tourism fades in affected areas and roomer risk turn into opportunities.
In illustration 1, possible adaptation options are shown. It is a recommendation out of the final report of SEEPS Climate (2011) from a research study about ћClimate Change and Territorial Effects on Regions and Local Economies”. (Illustration 1: SEEPS Climate, 2011) 4. Feasible examples The following part will mention how successfully operating Alpine winter destinations respond to the obvious issue, that climate changes and global temperature rises. These destinations do not look away and try to adapt the variances into their future strategy.
Rosa and Pizza are located in two efferent altitude levels. So they concern about distinctive topics. 4. 1 Rosa The Alpine tourism destination Rosa is situated on an altitude of 1 ‘800 meters above sea level. It attracts its guest by the slogan “Rosa – Schneider. Chi”, translated “Arose ?? with guaranteed snow. Chi”. Well- prepared slopes and winter walking trails are provided from December to April. Rosa offers 70 km of slopes, 13 chairlifts and furthermore 30 km offshore rides (Rosa Tourism, 201 1). The village is on high altitude so they don’t have to be afraid of little snow.
Despite that, Rosa is conscious that heir core resource, the nature, has to be protected. A Future tactic is to make guests more sensitive to global warming to support responsible traveling and a careful handling of nature (Rosa Tourism, 2011 To perform the described overall strategy Rosa has implemented a project called “Sustainable Rosa” which consists of several projects. Rosa is member of “Alpine pearls”, a network that guarantees its guests a sustainable, cultural diverse and climate protecting holiday adventure. With a further cooperation with “Climate Partner’, Rosa created five climate-neutral packages.
This is unique in the Alpine region. What makes it even more attractive is the fact, that there is no additional cost for the customer. In corporation with “Climate Partner” it was developed how much CO emission a regular tourist produces. When a sustainable packages is booked Rosa gets supported from “Alpine pearls”. They then investigate their contribution into high-quality climate protection projects. Thus the produced CO emission in Rosa will be balanced. Therefore the booked sustainable holiday will be climate neutral. A further project is “cherisher. H”, translated “safeguards. Chi” with whom the first destination Scoffed is held. The gained money supports the promotion of youth with sportive, cultural and educational activities. Furthermore the Scoffed wants to care and promote the location, the impressive constructions, the unique intrapulmonary, the sound nature, the clean water, the healthy air and the friendly and hardworking citizen of Rosa (Rosa Tourism, 2011 On “cherisher. Chi” everybody can become godparents of one of the 360 curves on the way from Church to Rosa. This contribution runs directly into the project.
With the project “Energy efficiency Check” the destination offers its local industry to check their energy households. By cooperating with “Climate Partner and Energy’s, a check will be done and it is tried to improve the current state. The attending companies as hotels, restaurants, handcrafts and many more, receive a label, which confirms a climate friendly use of resources. Last but not least a future project of Rosa is to build up a Unadventurous- and Animal-Park. This could attract more summersets and also creates a higher value for them.
Therewith the possibility to experience nature in a more affective and with all senses included way, will be created. This project has not started yet, but Rosa is willing to start off soon. 4. Pizza The destination Of Pizza is situated in a lower altitude; the challenges they have to face are different. The villages from which the slopes of Pizza can be accessed are located on 500 meters above sea level and extend to the highest point of around 2300 meter above sleeve. Although the destination will in future be affected of winters with little snow, scientific analyses show that they do not have to worry.
The region around Pizza already consists of a wide range of alternative activities as walking and hiking trails, sled-rides and a thermal spa. Furthermore it is highly attractive for day trips from cities close y (Climatologist, 201 2, p. 3). To continue successful winter seasons, Pizza has to investigate in refillable showcasing. Despite that, a more successful opportunity is to improve the summer tourism offer. Even if there are no projects running at this time, the destination is aware of sit strengths as well as its weaknesses.