Forty Years of Climate and Land-Cover Change and its Effects on Tourism Resources in Kilimanjaro National Park

Climate change over the past four decades has significantly altered trekking conditions and sightseeing opportunities in Kilimanjaro National Park. Higher temperatures and reduced rainfall have decreased risks of landslides, rockfalls, and altitude sickness, improving physical trekking conditions. However, these changes have also led to a decline in wildlife, waterfalls, and snow cover, which are key attractions for tourists. While the loss of snow may initially boost 'last chance tourism,' long-term impacts could reduce visitation. The study suggests that proactive management of expanding heathlands is crucial to mitigating these losses. Researchers used a hazard-activity pairs approach to analyze the interplay between environmental changes and tourism activities, providing insights into the complex relationship between climate change and tourism sustainability.

Kilungu, H., Leemans, R., Munishi, P. K. T., Nicholls, S., & Amelung, B. (2019). Forty Years of Climate and Land-Cover Change and its Effects on Tourism Resources in Kilimanjaro National Park. Tourism Planning & Development, 16(2), 235–253. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2019.1569121