The impact of climate change on water
use in the tourism sector: adaption
Katerina Charalambous
Research Assistant
Energy, Environment and Water Research Center
The Cyprus Institute
Importance of Tourism to Cyprus
 In 2009
–
–
–
–
Number of tourist arrivals: approx 2.2M
Revenue: €1,493M
Number of jobs: 38,000
Share of GDP: 15-20% (1990-2005)
 Water use
– Tourism: 465 L/d/capita (Domestic : 215 L/d/capita)
– Design of desalination plants based on peak demand of
urban and tourism sector
 Swimming pool evaporation for 2003-2009 in
Limassol town: 4.4 L/m²/d
Global tourist water consumption values
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 2009
Benidorm, Spain, 2009
Las Vegas, USA, 2007
Zanzibar, Tanzania, 2001
Hills resorts, Cyprus, 2001
Famagusta, Cyprus, 2001
Nicosia, Cyprus, 2001
0
100
200
300
400
500
L/d/c
600
700
800
900
1000
Cyprus hotel water management survey
 Objective
– To assess the impact of and adaptation to climate change
on water use and supply in the tourist sector in Cyprus
 Methods
– Web-based survey sent out to 320 e-mail addresses on the
CTO list of tourist accommodation
– 23 responses received (7%)
Location of accommodation
16
14
12
10
Responses
8
6
4
2
0
Coastal areas
Mountains/hilly areas
Other
Accommodation size (no. of beds)
7
6
5
4
Responses
3
2
1
0
1-20
21-50
51-100
101-200
201-300
more than 300
Affected by water shortage
18
16
14
12
10
Responses
8
6
4
2
0
Not at all
Minor problems
Has been affected
Access to own water supply
14
12
10
8
Responses
6
4
2
0
Groundwater
On-site
desalination
Water harvesting
Grey water
system
Commercial
water tankers
None
Swimming pools
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Responses
3
2
1
0
Potable water
network
Tankered potable
On-site desalinated
Groundwater
No pools
Disposal of wastewater
25
20
15
Responses
10
5
0
Sewerage network
Cess-pits
On-site treatment and
discharge to sea
On-site treatment and
effluent for irrigation
Water saving devices
14
12
10
8
Responses
6
4
2
0
Water saving taps Water-efficient
shower heads
Dual flush toilets Toilet cistern bags
None
Other
Water saving habits
25
20
15
Responses
10
5
0
Staff training Notices to use
water wisely
Notices for
Notices for
clean towels clean bed linen
None
Other
Garden irrigation
16
14
12
10
Responses
8
6
4
2
0
Manual irrigation
Drip or microsprinkler systems
Soil moisture
sensors
Vegetation that Vegetation that
need little
need no irrigation
irrigation
No gardens
Factors affecting tourist arrivals
25
20
15
Responses
10
5
0
Economical/political Extreme hot weather
situation
Droughts/water
shortages
Change in
destination trends
Advertising
campaigns
15 year projection
16
14
12
10
Responses
8
6
4
2
0
Increase in arrivals
Decrease in arrivals Increase in off-season Decrease in summer
arrivals
arrivals
No change
Future plans
16
14
12
10
Responses
8
6
4
2
0
Conclusions
 Survey results indicated that:
–
–
–
–
Water shortage has had an impact on hotels
Hotels are applying measures to save water
Many do not have future plans with regards to this matter
The majority of the respondents do not expect a decrease
in tourist numbers
 More research is needed to evaluate opportunities
and constraints for hotel water saving
References






Cyprus Statistical Service (CSS). 2009. Tourism statistics. Republic of Cyprus
Printing Office, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Gӧssling S. 2001. The consequences of tourism for sustainable water use on a
tropical island: Zanzibar, Tanzania. Journal of Environmental Management, 61:
179-191
Gӧssling S., Peeters P., Hall M.C., Ceron J-P., Dubois, G., Lehmann L. V. and Scott
D. 2012. Tourism and water use: Supply, demand, and security. An international
review. Tourism Management, 33: 1-15
Lamei A., Von Münch E., van der Zaag, P. and Imam, E. 2009. Optimum
contracted-for water supply for hotels in arid coastal regions. Water Science and
Technology, 59 (8): 1541-1550.
Rico-Amoros A.M., Olcina-Cantos J., Sauri D. 2009. Tourist land use patterns and
water demand: Evidence from the Western Mediterranean. Land Use Policy, 26:
493-501.
WDD-FAO. 2001. The assessment of water demand of Cyprus. In: Reassessment
of the island's water resources and demand - Objective 1 - Output 1.5.1.
TCP/CYP/8921. FAO and WDD, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Thank you
Contacts:
Katerina Charalambous
k.charalambous@cyi.ac.cy
2220686