Systems thinking to adapt tourism to climate change: Application to summer glacier skiing in Switzerland

Ephraim Gerber, Jeanne Fournier, Emmanuel Salim (), Emmanuel Fragnière and Leïla Kebir
Additional contact information
Ephraim Gerber: HES-SO - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale
Jeanne Fournier: UNIL - Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne
Emmanuel Salim: UNIL - Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne, ISTHIA - Institut supérieur du tourisme, de l'hôtellerie et de l'alimentation (Toulouse) - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - UT - Université de Toulouse, CERTOP - Centre d'Etude et de Recherche Travail Organisation Pouvoir - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - UT - Université de Toulouse - UT3 - Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier - UT - Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
Emmanuel Fragnière: HES-SO - Haute Ecole Spécialisée de Suisse Occidentale
Leïla Kebir: UNIL - Université de Lausanne = University of Lausanne

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Abstract: Climate change affects mountain tourism and summer glacier skiing, a highly vulnerable activity. This paper explores the complex dynamics affecting summer glacier skiing in Swiss Alpine destinations. The methodology involved conducting 26 semi-structured interviews followed by three workshops with tourism stakeholders. Applying systems thinking, this research highlights the challenges faced by summer glacier skiing destinations and the ongoing commitment required amid evolving cryosphere dynamics. Sustaining summer glacier skiing touches on vulnerability factors in climatic and socioeconomic dimensions. The disappearance of the activity has implications for the cable car companies, the hospitality sector and the wider mountain tourism industry. The systems thinking approach in this research reveals feedback loops and leverage points, such as uncertainties about the future of the activity.

Keywords: Summer glacier skiing; Systems thinking; Climate adaptation; Climate risk; Glacier tourism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-05
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-04988414v1
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Published in Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 2025, 6 (1), pp.100172. ⟨10.1016/j.annale.2025.100172⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-04988414

DOI: 10.1016/j.annale.2025.100172

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