Adaptation to climate change in nature-based tourist destination in northern Ghana

Increasing climate change and its impacts remain a monumental threat globally to Nature-based Tourism (NBT) destinations now and in the future. However, the complex relationship between climate change and NBT remains underexplored as there is only limited empirical evidence of their vulnerability and adaptiveness, particularly for research on NBTs in Africa. This paper examines the system-wide vulnerability and adaptation strategies of the Mole National Park (MNP) in Northern Ghana. The study combines semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and various participatory methods. The findings show that park managers and the MNP fringe communities perceived a change in the climate accompanied by extreme climate events such as drought and flood over the last two decades. The climate changes experienced in the MNP led to increased poaching and human-wildlife conflicts, declining biodiversity and ecosystem, food and water scarcity and reduced tourist viewing experience. In light of these, various adaptation strategies have been implemented by MNP stakeholders, including the construction of artificial waterholes and green buildings, controlled burning of grasses, regulation and enforcement, alternative livelihood schemes, afforestation and education programmes. Thus, the paper provides invaluable insights and responds to theoretical and empirical knowledge gaps in the burgeoning tourism and climate change research in developing countries.