Impacts of Natural Disasters on Regional Economies: An Overview

Author: Chen, Rachel J.C.

Source: Tourism Analysis, Volume 16, Number 3, 2011 , pp. 367-371(5)

Publisher: Cognizant Communication Corporation

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Abstract:

The main purpose of this study addresses the vulnerability of the subgrouped regions to natural disasters and investigates trends in natural disasters and their impacts for the years 2000-2009 in various regions globally. Over the past two decades, the majority of economic loss, human suffering, and loss of life due to natural disasters has been reported in the Asia-Pacific region, with more than 89% of the total affected population and economic loss (42%) located in that region. Outside the Asia-Pacific region, Europe was subjected to more extreme temperatures, floods, and storms, while Africa experienced more epidemics, floods, and droughts. Tourism is sensitive to safety considerations, a phenomenon that varies in its effects across countries. It seems that the poorer and poorest countries suffer the greatest damage expressed as a fraction of gross domestic product (GDP). The overall magnitude of the economic damage is relatively large with respect to the GDP of each country in the affected region cumulatively.

Keywords: IMPACTS OF NATURAL DISASTERS; REGIONAL ECONOMIES; TOURISM

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3727/108354211X13110944387365

Publication date: 2011-10-01

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The aim of Tourism Analysis is to promote a forum for practitioners and academicians in the fields of Leisure, Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (LRTH). As a interdisciplinary journal, it is an appropriate outlet for articles, research notes, and computer software packages designed to be of interest, concern, and of applied value to its audience of professionals, scholars, and students of LRTH programs the world over.