Integrating tourism and climate knowledge for destination adaptation: Challenges in the identification of knowledge gaps at the regional level

A case study of knowledge gaps relating to tourism management for the Kakadu region in Australia highlights the diverse nature of knowledge requirements for planning purposes as well as the limited compatibility, time and space applicability and methodological issues arising from the complexity of the various layers of knowledge involved. The paper warns, on scientific and resources allocation grounds, against linear approaches to the problem of knowledge-building to address tourism-climate change management dilemmas. The discussion of the Kakadu case provides examples of these issues by focusing on the impact climate change and anticipated landscape effects might hold for Kakadu destination appeal in terms of effects on tourist behavior, industry adaptation and marketing knowledge required to build credible scenarios about the nature of the threats for tourism and community.