Women to discuss impacts of climate change on tourism

06 October 2018, 12:00AM

More than 40 women from the tourism and environment sector in Samoa and globally will gather in Apia next Tuesday to discuss the growing linkages between the two sectors. 

To be held at the Taumeasina Island Resort, the gathering is sponsored by the Women in Tourism International Alliance (W.I.T.IA.) and facilitated by the Women in Climate Change Network. 

The two organizations have come together to highlight the increasing threats of the impacts of climate change on the tourism sector from a gender perspective. 

South Pacific Tourism Organisation Manager of Sustainable Tourism Development Christina Gale is a key speaker with Director of W.I.T.I.A., Anne Isaacson also presenting remarks.

 “We were pleased to receive an invitation from W.I.T.I.A. to network with members of our informal network, and this is an excellent opportunity in the backdrop of the Pacific Tourism Ministers Meeting to once again highlight issues relating to climate and tourism,” said Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson of W.I.C.C. in a press statement. 

As early onset events continue to increase in frequency such as cyclones, flooding and warmer temperatures, the tourism sector will have to be prepared at all levels to ensure that there is minimum interruption to their services, said the statement.  

 “Cyclone Gita was proof of the damage that climate induced disasters can have on our tourism sector, as seen with the extensive damage to one of Samoa’s largest resorts, the Sheraton,” said Lagipoiva.

 “From a gender perspective, it’s important that women who depend on the tourism sector are prepared and protected from the financial implications of disasters impacting their livelihood sources.”

W.I.C.C. was founded in Samoa in January 2018 by the Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, Fiame Naomi Mataáfa with 35 women leaders from across various sectors with an interest in environmental issues; it is the first network of its type globally.

W.I.T.I.A. is a professional association focused on assisting women selling tourism services. 

Created by female travel professionals in Australia, U.S.A. and Canada, W.I.T.I.A. facilitates access to information, enhances business opportunities and provides a greater understanding of diverse cultures through interaction of members worldwide.

06 October 2018, 12:00AM

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