Climate Change, Human-Wildlife Interactions and Sustainable Tourism Nexus in Protected Areas

Sustainable tourism over the years has been advanced as the vehicle for advancing the sustainable development agenda from the tourism perspective. To a greater extent, it is religiously regarded as the most ideal form of tourism that creates sustained benefits for the people, planet and profits (Triple P), and if properly practiced, it contributes to the attainment of multiple Sustainable Development Goals. However, the negative effects of climate change are seemingly undermining the very essence of sustainable tourism, especially in the fragile tropical areas where most of the tourism is based on wildlife resources. The impacts of climate change highlight the interconnectedness between various stakeholders and sectors, including private enterprise, protected area visitors, local communities, government and non-governmental organizations. As such, apparently, there is a dearth of literature on the wildlife economy, human wildlife interactions, climate change and or implications on sustainable tourism in the context of tropical areas.

Therefore, this Research Topic would like to tackle issues relating to the issues specified below:

- Wildlife economy, sustainable tourism and the changing climate;
- CBNRM: Challenges and opportunities in the face of increasing effects of climate change;
- Human wildlife interactions, tourism and the changing climate;
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Human wildlife interactions and climate change;
- Citizen Science, Climate Change and Tourism Initiatives;
- Gender equality and climate action;
- Urban ecology, climate resilience and tourism (recreational parks);
- Tourism initiatives and community resilience in TFCAs;
- Reframing tourism, including the resources it uses, to achieve productive livelihoods without degrading the biodiversity upon which it depends.

Bearing in the themes stated above, it is of interest to note that most economies in the tropical areas are relatively poor. However, some areas have enclaves of relatively well-developed economies, thereby creating an 'opportunity' for considering the issues stated above from a comparative perspective including relevant urban ecology dynamics and Peace Parks as well the latter, in the context of Southern Africa, have been designated as hubs for promoting harmonious human-wildlife interactions and health ecosystems, including enhanced societal wellbeing, that are hinged on sustainable tourism initiatives.