Climate change and tourism: Impacts and responses. A case study of Khaoyai National Park

The problem of climate change has discernible impacts on human living on a wide scale. This study explores the effect of climate change on changes in tourism trends at Khaoyai National Park. In 2010, Khaoyai National Park had a recreational and tourism value of approximately 2.8–3.7 billion baht ($93–$123 million) per year. Temperature and climate changes are considered by many tourists to be significant factors influencing whether they visit the park. This study discovers that increases in temperature and precipitation each year have adversely affected the number of tourists to the site, reducing the number of visits by 22%. The total recreational value of the park is estimated to be 1.8–2.6 billion baht ($60–$86 million) per year, approximately 30–35% less than in the baseline case.

► We study the impacts of climate change on tourism in Khaoyai National Park.
► With climate change, the weather in the park is expected to be warmer and wetter.
► Recreational values of Khaoyai National Park are estimated by travel cost model.
► Climate change is expected to reduce number of tourists by 22%.
► With climate change, the park's value is estimated to reduce by 30–35%.