Abstract
The scope of this paper is to explore the relationship between tourism development and carbon emission in Maldives. Data used are already published data for Maldives tourism development and carbon emission. Individual Model for tourism development indicators and combined model of all the indicators were used to test the relationship. Unit root test was used to test the stationary status of the data. Empirical tests were performed using Ordinary Least square Method. Unit root results suggest that data are stationary at first differentiation. Regression results show very significant positive correlation between tourism development indicators and carbon emission. The relationship between carbon emission and tourism development shows very directional positive relationship. The results suggest growth of tourism and development of the industry is one major factor driving the carbon emission in Maldives. To reduce the carbon emission to achieve the goal of becoming the first carbon natural country, government could encourage opening of guest houses with more simulative rules by increasing the number of beds without increasing the number of resorts, increasing number of international airports, limiting domestic transfers and developing tourist sites to increase the output of the industry. Key words: Tourism development, carbon emission, Maldives.
Highlights
Maldives is an ocean archipelago consisting of 1192 islands in the Indian Ocean
The main focus of this study is to examine the relationship of tourism development and carbon emission
Our finding reveals that tourism development does enormously contribute to the increase in carbon dioxide
Summary
Maldives is an ocean archipelago consisting of 1192 islands in the Indian Ocean. The population of Maldives is estimated to be 336,220 people living in 190 islands (DNP, Maldives at a glance - July, 2013). The Maldives has more territorial sea than land. Marine resources have played a vital role in shaping the contours of economic development with nature-based tourism and fishing being the main drivers of economic growth. Travel and tourism has have become the powerhouse of the most of the low-lying countries across the globe in the past few decades. Unexploited natural beauty of small nations opened opportunities for economic growth and development. The world tourism growth from 25 million to 1 billion in 60 years has proven tourism hasbecome an important tool for development in many partsof the world.
Published Version (
Free)
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have