IGD

Institute of Geography and Sustainability of the University of Lausanne
Research projects


Search again


Vulnerability and adaptation of summer ski destinations in Valais

Research fields Cultures and natures of tourism
Margins, environment, landscapes
Keywords Climate change
Wallis
Adaptation
Summer ski
Vulnerability
Funding État du Valais - Cross-institutional research fund
Duration February 2023 - December 2023
Website
Researchers Kebir Leïla (Supervision) [web] [email]
Salim Emmanuel (Principal Investigator) [web] [email]
Fragnière Emmanuel (Project co-applicant)

Summer skiing is an economic activity in Valais that is threatened by the melting of glaciers due to global warming. The aim of our project is to propose coherent and sustainable adaptation solutions that will allow the destinations concerned to adapt in a transformative rather than reactive way. To do this, we will draw on a large body of scientific literature on the subject.

We will carry out a qualitative and multi-objective field study to diagnose the situation of the destinations affected by summer skiing activities in Valais (Saas-Fee and Zermatt). Finally, we will construct a systemic analysis framework for adaptation to climate change in mountain tourism destinations. This will help tourism stakeholders to develop concrete and relevant strategies to adapt to the consequences of climate change in mountain destinations. Indeed, the vulnerability of these destinations is relatively dependent on their exposure to these climate risks and their capacity to adapt. It is on this last variable that we wish to intervene.



Stubaigletscher