Climate change risk perceptions in nature-based tourism systems: a case study from western Maine.

Abstract This chapter examines climate change perceptions in the context of nature-based tourism in the case study area of western Maine, USA. It identifies the perceptions of risks and challenges associated with changes in climate, the variables that influence perceptions of risk, and the behavioural intention of tourism stakeholders and recreation users as associated with climate change perceptions. Results from both qualitative (tourism stakeholder) and quantitative research (recreation users) approaches are integrated to provide a richer understanding of climate change risk perceptions to guide more effective sustainable tourism planning efforts in light of changing conditions in tourism destinations.