Vulnerability framework of tourism to natural disasters

Abstract

Natural disaster is a major challenge to tourism destinations. Thus, a vulnerability analysis is required as a part of disaster risk reduction to ensure their sustainability. This study aimed to present an analysis of the tourism vulnerability framework for those areas that face natural prone disasters. To achieve the study purpose, the framework was developed through a review of research papers that focusing on the application of vulnerability approach in sustainable tourism discourse. The search databases used for literature review including Google Scholar, SCOPUS and Science Direct. The primary result is discussed using the constructs of Vulnerability Framework for Sustainable Tourism Development (VFSTD), which composed of several elements: shocks-stressors, exposure, sensitivity and system adaptiveness. The VFSTF is fundamentally adopted from Turner Vulnerability Analysis in Sustainability Science, which highlights the integration of vulnerability approach and sustainability science as a system. For tourism as a core, VFSTD would helpful in clarifying the fundamental of vulnerability analysis and enhancing the effectiveness of risk reduction action for tourism in disaster-prone areas. Particularly, users of VFSTD would able to explore the factors and processes that create and perpetuate vulnerability to natural disasters in tourism destinations and elicit adjustment and feedback to encourage tourism sustainability more holistically.

Assessment of Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Exposure to Natural Disasters: A Case Study of Ranau Earthquake (2015)

“…Besides, its ability to identify an individual or group's exposure, sensitivity and resilience to shock is closely related to the destination's accessibility and eligibility to the existences resources that surround it (Calgaro & Lloyd, 2008). Matusin et al (2019b) proposed Vulnerability Framework for Sustainable Tourism Development (VFSTD) that aims to determine the vulnerability of tourism destination affected by natural disaster or hazards towards sustainability ( Figure 2). There are four elements constructed in VFSTD -Shocks-Stressors, Exposure, Sensitivity and System Adaptiveness, at the same time it incorporates both components of Sources and Power to represent human-environment relationship (Matusin et al 2019b).…”

“…Matusin et al (2019b) proposed Vulnerability Framework for Sustainable Tourism Development (VFSTD) that aims to determine the vulnerability of tourism destination affected by natural disaster or hazards towards sustainability ( Figure 2). There are four elements constructed in VFSTD -Shocks-Stressors, Exposure, Sensitivity and System Adaptiveness, at the same time it incorporates both components of Sources and Power to represent human-environment relationship (Matusin et al 2019b). Yet, this framework still needs more empirical study to elevate its effectiveness.…”

“…In tourism context, production or preparation of tourism product is influenced by destination image which possesses interaction between multi-stage of enterprise and service including facilities, guides, marketing, operations and life spans which takes place at multilevel (Dredge & Jenkins, 2003). In VFSTD, contextualisation of tourism to represent Source component is significant, especially in community-based tourism as their products are characterised by their destination image including natural resources as well as local culture (Matusin et al, 2019b).…”

“…Thus, natural disaster management becomes an important component in sustainable tourism development. Therefore, VFSTD enumerates items in Sources component including Tourism Products, Tourism Size, Tourism Expectancy and Natural Disaster Management (Matusin et al, 2019b).…”

“…Power component in VFSTD is contextualised through social capital (Matusin et al, 2019b). Social capital is fundamentally shaped by structure of relationships within social relationships (Coleman, 1988) that benefit individuals and groups (Liu et al, 2014).…”