Stakeholder’s (natural) hazard awareness and vulnerability of small island tourism destinations: a case study of Malta

Small island tourism destinations are particularly vulnerable to (natural) hazards, disasters and crises. Although much literature considers disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, risk mitigation and the impacts of disasters on the tourism industry, the literature on how these strategies are implemented and managed by stakeholders with vested interests is scarce. Understanding stakeholders’ awareness of threats, and their ability and knowledge to respond to sudden and/or projected natural disasters is a key dimension in helping create and implement management plans, recognised in the UNISDR goals, Hyogo and Sendai Frameworks. With tourists increasingly travelling to destinations in locations of varying risk, this paper explores the intersections of stakeholder’s (natural) hazard awareness and resulting vulnerability of small island tourism destinations utilising Malta as a case study setting, focusing on decision- and policy-making dimensions. Qualitative methods were utilised to consider hazard awareness in Malta and future management of vulnerability. Results indicate a recognition of an increasing need for integrated stakeholder collaboration, with flooding, drought and storms being the three most likely hazards to affect Malta. Key outcomes are a need for (natural) hazard awareness training and development of management plans to be implemented to benefit the general population and tourism sector