Disaster Risk Management For Coastal Tourism Destinations - DTIE

Disaster Risk Management For Coastal Tourism Destinations Responding To Climate Change
A Practical Guide For Decision Makers
releases of hazardous substances in the chemical industry. It has since been used
to address operational impacts and risks from ports, the transport of dangerous
This Handbook adopts the fundamental precepts of the APELL process for use
by coastal tourism communities when mitigating climate-induced disasters. The
climate change, elevates the importance of adequately preparing coastal tourism
destinations.
APELL’s step-wise approach to community-focused disaster planning, risk reduction
and mitigation is also harmonious with national planning activities. It is particularly
suited to building awareness and capacity in communities that have not traditionally
been involved in national contingency planning and early warning systems. The
planning and disaster management cycles, i.e. is systematic in approach.
Although APELL is designed as a stand-alone process, it does not eliminate the
necessity for effective disaster management and risk reduction to be undertaken in
the context of national or sub-national frameworks. This is the underlying premise
of the Handbook: that government has primary responsibility for establishing the
national disaster management organization and for ensuring disaster risk reduction
at tourism destinations.
APELL also features a participatory multi-stakeholder process. It therefore relies
on adherence to the principles of good governance, transparency, openness and a
genuine partnership between the disaster management agency and all stakeholders,
including vulnerable communities and civil society groups, in order for it to be
effective.
the implementation of the APELL process. This Group provides a mechanism for
interaction and cooperation between the many industry players (i.e. APELL partners)
including disaster managers, local authorities, local tourism industry and community
leaders, as well as a means to achieve a coordinated approach to emergency
response planning. When well implemented, the process will establish industry
priorities, identify resources for emergency response, evaluate approaches and
enhance communications. It will also draw upon the right people and resources to
ensure that the desired results are achieved.
It should be noted that integrated emergency planning involving communities and
multi-stakeholder groups requires patient consensus and relationship building,
which should instill trust and partnership over the medium term (1-2 year cycle).
Implementation of the agreed mitigation strategies should be pursued by consensus
and with pride of ownership. Moreover, as in all such group activity, measurement
and monitoring of progress is essential for motivating the community toward
measures of success.
As an effective adaptation mechanism, however the focus is on reducing community
vulnerability and improving response capability. If done well, it will improve a
community’s ability to act, respond and contribute to the overall development goals
and objectives of national risk reduction and climate adaptation strategies.
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