Local Implications of Globally Restricted Mobility: A study of Queenstown’s vulnerability to peak oil and climate change

dc.contributor.authorWalsh, Tim
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-13T22:51:45Z
dc.date.available2011-10-13T22:51:45Z
dc.date.issued2011en
dc.description.abstractThis thesis employs a case study approach to investigate local implications of globally restricted mobility by examining Queenstown’s vulnerability to peak oil and climate change. Qualitative research methods are the principal means of inquiry. The research findings suggest that Queenstown is particularly vulnerable to peak oil and climate change at a broad scale because of its dependence on tourism and heavy reliance on air transport. However, Queenstown has fortuitously built up resilience to peak oil and climate change through tourism industry diversity, comparative advantage and an increasing proportion of short-haul visitors. A selection of key Queenstown tourism stakeholders interviewed as part of the research demonstrated some grasp of peak oil and climate change issues but lacked in-depth understanding. They generally considered the issues as being beyond their control although several suggested ways that Queenstown could strengthen resilience to peak oil and climate change. In terms of solutions, this research identifies three potential strategies. The first involves investing in a low carbon local transport system to increase destination level resilience to peak oil and climate change and enhance the uniqueness of the Queenstown brand. The second involves Queenstown promoters targeting the high-end niche tourism market in order to create a more resilient visitor profile. And the third involves the creation of new and expansion of existing industries not tied to tourism – preferably industries that are not excessively oil dependent and carbon intensive. But in order to successfully tackle the problem, it is imperative to first raise awareness. The research recommends implementing a framework that ensures an inclusive community-wide open dialogue process as the most effective way to achieve this.en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10092/5654
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.26021/8906
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherUniversity of Canterbury. Geographyen
dc.relation.isreferencedbyNZCUen
dc.rightsCopyright Tim Walshen
dc.rights.urihttps://canterbury.libguides.com/rights/thesesen
dc.subjectpeak oilen
dc.subjectclimate changeen
dc.subjectmobilityen
dc.subjectvulnerabilityen
dc.subjectresilienceen
dc.subjecttourismen
dc.subjectQueenstownen
dc.titleLocal Implications of Globally Restricted Mobility: A study of Queenstown’s vulnerability to peak oil and climate changeen
dc.typeTheses / Dissertations
thesis.degree.disciplineGeographyen
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Canterburyen
thesis.degree.levelMastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen
uc.bibnumber1675618en
uc.collegeFaculty of Scienceen
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