Case study Turkey: climate changeand coastal tourism: impacts of climate change on the turquoise coast

This chapter tries to assess the severity of expected climate change impacts on tourism at the Turquoise Coast (Turkey) and build up an adaptation agenda for the concerned parties. First, sea level rise projections are considered to understand the degree of exposure at the immediate coastal zone. A storm and flood risk projection follows to visualize any additional risks on the coasts as well as for the nautical tourism routes. A climate model also provides with outputs for determining the changes in the touristic climate comfort as well as spotting any increase of heatwave events. The changing windiness characteristics are also investigated to determine implications for surf tourism. Lastly, an aridity index and water deficit projections are interpreted to understand a conflicting future where water availability could decrease, whereas the growth of the tourism industry, particularly golf tourism, would imply more consumption of water resources. The assessments are finalized with implications on the future of a major component of diving tourism in the north Aegean - the red coral.