Factors influencing the assessment of tourism damage caused by river floods

Abstract

Studies analysing the impact of river floods on tourism are scarce and usually approach the impact of such phenomenon on tourism as one of the affected industries. Floods on inland places, as fluvial floods, also affect tourism, particularly on what concerns to tourists’ perceptions of risk. In this context, the present work addresses the effects of flooding on tourism in inland areas. Damage Influencing factors are classified as impact parameters and resistance parameters to obtain an initial assessment of damage to tourism. A case study was carried out in the city of Ourense (Spain) which features spas and thermal facilities located on the river banks. Tourism’s dependency on natural, thermal resources, combined with the fact that such attractions are irremediably located on flood zones, increases the sector’s vulnerability to inundations.