Governance for climate change adaptation: a multilevel study with a focus on the tourism sector

Abstract

The study aims to analyze the governance of policy and normative instruments for climate change adaptation in a multi-level context - Portugal, the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, and Cascais - with a focus on the tourism sector. The research is exploratory and documentary in nature, using content analysis as the method. The main findings reveal a lack of coordination among the three levels of governance analyzed. At the local level, there was a strong influence from an external European network. Participation from the tourism sector at the national level was limited, with a predominance of government representatives. However, there was an increase in sector participation at the regional and municipal levels, especially through workshops. Cascais developed a specific strategic plan for adapting the tourism sector but lacked the involvement of key sector actors such as businesses and associations, raising concerns about their representativeness and participation in governance.