Research Proposal: Climate Change Impact on Australian Tourism

This research proposal examines the effects of climate change on the Australian tourism industry. It aims to develop methodologies for investigating how weather alterations influence tourism in Australia, focusing on both primary and secondary research. The study employs a deductive research approach with an exploratory research design, utilizing questionnaires and pilot testing for data collection and analysis. The proposal includes a literature review, identifies research gaps, formulates research questions, objectives, and hypotheses, and outlines the research methodologies, including sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques. Ethical considerations, limitations, and a timeline with a budget are also provided. The research highlights the importance of the tourism sector to the Australian economy and how climate change poses a significant threat, affecting natural beauty, infrastructure, and overall industry growth. The study intends to provide insights into the degree of climate change impact, offering strategies to overcome challenges and promote sustainable tourism development. The research proposal also discusses the existing studies and their limitations and the significance of the current study.

RUNNING HEAD: TOURISM 0
TOURISM INDUSTRY

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Executive Summary
Tourism industry supports more in developing the economy because of providing more
employment and contributing more income. The main aim of research proposal is to develop
methodologies for conducting the research on finding the reason that how alterations in the
weather conditions influence tourism industry of Australia. The information will be gathered
through primary research and study is conducted in Australia. Therefore, for the study deductive
research approach, exploratory research design will be used. The questionnaire method and pilot
testing will also be used in data collection and analysis.

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Table of Contents
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Background of the study..............................................................................................................................2
Literature review.........................................................................................................................................3
Findings..................................................................................................................................................6
Research Gap..........................................................................................................................................6
Thematic table.........................................................................................................................................7
Research question........................................................................................................................................8
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................................8
Hypothesis...................................................................................................................................................8
 Null Hypothesis...............................................................................................................................8
 Alternative Hypothesis....................................................................................................................8
Research methodologies..............................................................................................................................8
Research design.......................................................................................................................................9
Sampling.................................................................................................................................................9
Tools/ Research instrument...................................................................................................................10
Data collection......................................................................................................................................10
Data analysis.........................................................................................................................................10
Ethical considerations................................................................................................................................10
Limitations................................................................................................................................................11
References.................................................................................................................................................12
Appendix...................................................................................................................................................14
Estimated Timeline...............................................................................................................................14
Estimated Research Budget...................................................................................................................14
Questionnaire........................................................................................................................................14

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Introduction
Tourism industry is the significant component of the Australian economy, it is because
the estimation describes that in the year 2019 tourism industry contributes up to $44.6 billion in
Australian economy (Čavlek, Cooper, Krajinović, Srnec, & Zaninović, 2019). Therefore, for the
research proposal “how climate change has affected the Australian tourism industry” topic is
selected. This topic is important to study because tourism industry in Australia is influenced by
several issues which reduces the contribution of tourism industry that is in the year 2015 it
contribute up to A$47.5 billion (Higham, Elisabeth, & Maclaurin, 2019). The aim of proposal is
to investigate the research objectives for which study will be conducted and to investigate the
methodologies to be used while conducting study. In this proposal, research questions, data
collection and analysis is identified. The proposal also describes the time period and budget
required in conducting study.
Background of the study
The climate changes affect the functioning of tourism industry it is because through the
changes in the climate the natural beauty of the local destination are harmed as well as climate
alterations damaged airports and bridges (Higgins-Desbiolles, Carnicelli, Krolikowski,
Wijesinghe, & Boluk, 2019). This is the reason the contribution in the Australian economy of
tourism industry decreases the study will be discussing the accurate information regarding the
manner in which changes in the weather conditions impact tourism industry of Australia
(Mehran & Olya, 2019). I choose this topic because most of the studies are conducted on
understanding the problems faced by tourism industry and provide information regarding
relationship between tourism industry ad sustainability. Therefore not much of the study is
conducted to identify the framework and manner in which alterations in the climate affects
tourism industry.
My study will be providing complete information regarding the degree of climate change
in Australia and impact of this on the tourism industry. It is because existing studies only give
information about the issue of climate change in Australia but does not give accurate data

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regarding the degree of influence it will be having in tourism industry. This study will be
important for the tourism industry because through this they can get the knowledge about the
effects of climate on profitability of the industry. It can also develop various strategies and
practices to overcome this issue so that proper functioning of industry will take place in
Australia. Through this industry can also invest more on research and development so that they
can analyze the external and internal environment of the industry to know the relationship
between change in climate as well as growth of tourism industry.
Literature review
Researchers describes that there are various factors which influences the growth and
development of tourism industry in Australia it is due to the reason that in the current year the
growth of the tourism industry decrease by 20% (Semenza & Ebi, 2019). The objective of the
study is to identify the issues which are faced by tourism industry. The data collection was done
through secondary and primary method. Through investigation researchers describes that
infrastructure, accommodation, security, weather conditions affects the development of
Australian tourism industry.
The study also describes that there are several socio-economic factors which also become
one of the main reason in developing the tourism industry of Australia (Higham, Reis, & Cohen,
2016). From the analysis, researchers demonstrate that accessibility such as roads, transportation
is considering the major problems. Researchers also describes that amenities and less ancillary
services such as lack of hospital facilities in some region is also the challenge in expanding the
tours industry.
Researchers demonstrate that changes in the weather conditions also influence the
Australian tourism it is because reduction in the accommodation and transportation facilities due
to bad conditions of weather (Steiger, Scott, Abegg, Pons, & Aall, 2019). The study describes
that in 2019 the growth of tourism industry will decreases for this one of the reason can also be
changes in the weather surroundings. The study also demonstrate that many historical and
religious factors also become the issues for tourism industry it is because tourist always wants to
visit historical places such as monuments. Therefore, due to lack of infrastructure facilities
overall growth of industry in Australia reduces.

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Researchers believe that nowadays Australian tourism industry focuses on sustainable
tourism development (Higham, Cohen, Cavaliere, Reis, & Finkler, 2016). It is because to
increase the loyalty among the local residents and tourist, the purpose of the study is to
investigate the sustainable tourism development in Australia. The information is collected
through secondary research that is through previous literatures. From the investigation
researchers define that Australian tourism industry makes lower influence on the environment by
reducing the carbon emission and by fulfilling the demand the demands and need of the tourist.
Researchers also describe that climate changes influence the proper functioning of
tourism industry (Fang, Yin, & Wu, 2018). It is because rise in concern regarding the snow
sports and become difficult for the tourist to visit the far destinations due to weather conditions.
Therefore study also describes in Australia most of the time weather forecasting are
unpredictable and undetermined. The study decries that climate, accommodation and
infrastructure is become the main challenge for the Australian tourism industry. The study also
has limitation that it does not provide information regarding the present growth of industry so
that accurate information will be provided.
The study is focusing on investigating the challenges and obstacles in expanding tourism
industry and factor which affects the tourism industry of Australia (Landon, Woosnam, Keith,
Tarrant, Rubin, & Ling, 2019). The information is gathered from analyzing the existing
literatures, websites as well as blogs so that complete information will be gathered. The
investigation describes that climatic factors, socio-economic factors are become the reason of
influencing the tourism industry of Australia. The other issue such as dynamic environment that
is changes in the perception of tourist and local residents also affects the industry in Australia.
Researchers believe that tourism and climate change are associated to each other as well
as the engagement of Australian tourism sector is based on vulnerability assessment as well as
adaption (Scott & Becken, 2010). The tourism industry has to maintain contact and agreement
with international government, local institutions, destinations and organization. The research is
focuses on finding the role of tourism in changes in the weather conditions in past 25 years. The
data collection was done through secondary method in which previous articles are reviewed and
analyzed. Through the analysis, the researchers find that climate change is the key issue for the
tourism sector but it is also suffered from the various other challenges which include

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environmental and social factors. It is because to changes the regulations according to the needs
and requirements of the regions.
The study shows that climate changes can also affect the region as well as overall
industry; therefore the study was to understand the influences of alteration in the weather
conditions on Australian tourism industry (Turton, Wilson, & Hadwen, 2009). The study was
conducted to know the conditions about 40 and years of tourism industry in Australia. The
information is gathered from the semi-structured interview as well as organizing the survey
method so that accurate information could be collected. Through the analysis, the researchers
describes that climate changes can leads in increasing the threats of uncertainties, lower number
of resources. Therefore, weather conditions also affect the capability for manufacturing the food
according to the demand of local region.
Researchers describes that tourism is the most important sector of Australia it is because
of providing various job opportunities, increasing the income and for contributing the more to
economy (Hughes, Stock, Brailsford, & Alexander, 2018). The purpose of the study is to
understand the threats for changing in the climate and Australian tourism industry. The
secondary method and observation method is used for collecting the information. The finding
describes that there are various place such as Australian beaches, Great Barrier Reef and national
park are from the threats of the climate change. Therefore, the timing, storms and selecting the
travelling also become issue for the Australian tourism industry. Researchers also describes that
there are some destinations which are influenced by change in climate such as Red Centre, Ski
tourism.
Researchers conducted the study to investigate the influence of changes in the weather
conditions on the tourism industry (Rudd, 2008). The information collected from the literatures,
websites etc, and the researchers also collects data from the primary method. The investigation
describes that climate changes is become the big concern it is because of Cyclone Larry harms
the Australian economy up to $1 billion. Researchers also demonstrate the increasing in the sea
level impacts the pacific islands of Australia and decrease the ability to produce plants as well as
vegetables because of damaging in higher manner. The study also revealed that climate also
influence the overall environment because of increase in carbon emissions, greenhouse gas etc.

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Findings
The above study describes that there are various problems which is faced by the tourism
industry of Australia such as socio-economic factors. The results revealed that accommodation,
travelling and other services is also the challenges for the industry. Researchers investigate that
there are some reasons which reduce the contribution of tourism industry in Australia such as
changes in the climate, environmental and government laws etc. The changes in climate become
the issues due to damages in the bridges, travel services and damage various destinations such as
national park, Red Center etc.
Research Gap
The above studies focus on describing the issues which tourism industry faced in
Australia and provide the impact of changes in the climate in tourism sector of Australian.
Researchers also provide not much information about the weather conditions and Australian
tourism sector. Therefore, the proposal describes that present study will be conducted to
understand “how climate change affects the tourism sector of Australia”. The study will also be
discussing the current position of Australian tourism sector and the contribution they made in the
economy.

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Thematic table

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Research question
The research proposal describes that the objective of the study will be to understand the
manner in which climate change influence the Australian tourism industry.
 Define the present condition of Australian Tourism Industry?
 How the climate changes influence the tourism sector of Australia?
Research objectives
 To understand “the growth and development of tourism industry in Australia”
 To identify the contribution and support done by Australian tourism sector
 To analyze “the manner in which climate change influence the Australian tourism
industry”
Hypothesis
 Null Hypothesis
There is no significant association between climate change and tourism industry,
Australia.
 Alternative Hypothesis
There is relationship among the changes in weather conditions as well as Australian
tourism sector.
Research methodologies
It refers to the concept which provides various guidelines to the researchers for
performing the study (Peeters, Higham, Cohen, Eijgelaar, & Gössling, 2019). The research
proposal describes the methodologies used by the researchers for achieving the objective of
research.
Research design
This framework helps the researchers in selecting the data collection and analysis method
that appropriate method will be chosen to acquire accurate information regarding the subject

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matter (Guo, Jiang, & Li, 2019). The research proposal demonstrates that deductive research
approach will be used because while conducting the study respondents will be involved in
collecting the data. The study will be using exploratory and experimental research design
because to analyze the information about the impact of climate change and tourism industry of
Australia will be done by using some tools and instruments.
The study will be on the quantitative approach it is because the information is further
tested to get accurate data about development of Australian tourism industry. This research
design and approach will be benefited to me because of collecting complete information and
data. The disadvantages of research design are that it becomes difficult to select the tools and
experiments will be appropriate for conducting the study.
Sampling
The sampling method is used in describing the population and techniques which will be
used in conducting the study so that information will be gathered from correct and appropriate
respondents (Chong, 2019). Research proposal describes that employees working in companies
of tourism industry in Australia will be focused. The sample frame of the research proposal
describes that it is estimate there are about 273,500 tourism business in Australia and more than
60% of the people are working in tourism industry, therefore sample size will be selected from
the whole tourism industry. The sample size of the study will be calculating it by using Morgan
formula “x 2 N P (1- P) - d2 (N – 1) + x2 P (1-P)” = 390.
The sample size will be rationale because it is suitable and appropriate according to the
objective and aim of the study. The probability sampling method will be used in the study it is
due the reason that each and every employees working in the tourism industry gets the
opportunity to get involved in the study. Therefore this technique is appropriate for the study to
get adequate information regarding subject matter.
Tools/ Research instrument
The research proposal describes that questionnaire will be used for collecting the
information and it is related to the quantitative research because further data collected are being
further tested. In the study close ended questions will be used because respondents will respond
from various sets of choices in the question. The questionnaire will be including 10 questions

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which is related to the understanding of finding information about “how climate change affects
Australian tourism industry”. In the study pilot testing will be used to analyze the data and to
make it quantitative research. The covering letter will also be used because it supports me in
conducting the research in proper manner and structure.
Data collection
The questionnaires will administrated by close ended questions which will be according
to influence of climate change on the tourism industry. The collection will be done through
adopting primary method. The questionnaire is be filled by respondents, I will find respondents
in the companies which are in the tourism industry. The 390 questionnaires will be distributed
among the respondents which will be selected in the study. The respondents will be briefed
regarding the objective of conducting the research and will be also be notified for confidentiality.
I will keep the information confidential and also focus on filling the questionnaire according to
the time and cost limit. The questionnaire will be stored by preparing the excel sheet so that all
information will be kept in accurate manner.
Data analysis
The research proposal describes that excel sheet is will be used to code the information
gathered from the respondents. The collected data will be appropriately sorted and tabulated
which provide clear findings about the gathered data. The pilot testing program will be used to
test the data so that objective of the study will be achieved. The collected information will be
analyzed and tabulated in proper form so that aim of conducting the study will be achieved and
correct data will be gathered according to the requirement.
Ethical considerations
The research proposal also demonstrates ethical considerations which should be followed
by me while conducting the study. The approval will be taken through organization when
collecting the data about the influence of climate change from respondents. The other
consideration is that all the information which is gathered in present research will kept
confidential. Therefore, while conducting the study no harm and biasness is done among the
respondents who will be selected in the study. All misappropriate and misleading activities
associated with the research will be avoided.