Abstract

With the effects of global warming, El Niño and other oceanic and atmospheric phenomena, islands face an increased threat from natural disasters. Research linking crisis management and socio-economic adaptation theories following the impact of natural disasters to develop a comprehensive tourism revival model for small Islands is yet to be established. This paper aims to debate the theoretical understanding of the processes of adaptation and crisis management, which will provide a platform for conceptualising a comprehensive stakeholder-driven framework for tourism reconstruction and sustainable socio-economic revival of small islands. Specifically, this paper intends to use the international case of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India (ANI) to bring critical research to bear to understand how fragile communities and the tourism industry respond to extreme events. The 2004 Asian tsunami all but destroyed the ANI tourism industry and had a huge impact on the lives of the tourism- dependent poor communities. The ANI are sensitive environments where research involving foreigners is restricted and there is little known about the reconstruction measures taken by the local authorities and the Government of India. Some of the strategies implemented by the authorities proved extremely controversial in that they were seen as a threat to the socio-cultural and moral values of the local communities and indigenous tribes. It has been considered by international organisations such as UNESCO that the post-tsunami ANI could be a suitable research platform to conduct socio-economic assessments to develop a revival framework for other remote, and developing small island economies. The paper will assess the recovery stages of tourism, while discussing the current livelihood status of the tourism-dependent poor community living in such a pressurised environment as well analysing the need for preparedness to the effects of future disasters in the ANI and other settings such as the Solomon Islands (Pacific). This paper will explore the possibilities of tourism revival by conceptualising a comprehensive long-term sustainable socio-economic recovery framework drawn from relevant vulnerability and resilience theories. It is intended that the outcomes of this paper and interactive discussion with the audience will be useful to strengthen the conceptual framework incorporating tourism revival strategies and effective marketing approaches before testing in the ANI through active fieldwork. The proposed paper and outcomes of fieldwork would be of use for planners and policy makers from small islands that have been impacted by or may face disasters in future.