Developing a Climate-based Recreation Management System in a Mediterranean Island: Evidence from North Cyprus

This study intends to develop a climate-based recreation management system in the Mediterranean island of North Cyprus where the climate is one of the most important tourism resources. A knowledge-based management system was applied for transformation of meteorological data to the wisdom management in tourism activities. Suitability of the climate for tourists was calculated using Tourism Climate Index (TCI). TCI values were calculated for all meteorological stations of North Cyprus and were interpolated through Geo-statistical techniques (Kriging) in Arc GIS software. Apart from monthly TCI map, risk assessment of tourism climate was prepared through coupling Information Diffusion Model (IDM) in TCI. Recreation Management System (RMS) calendar was designed based on temporal analysis of TCI maps, TCI risk maps, environmental as well as socio-economic issues in the context of Ecological Modernization Theory (EMT). RMS calendar is an innovative idea that can be implemented as a chapter of tourism master plan. Reducing environmental degradation, distribution of tourism benefits, promoting tourism marketing, proposing an adaptive approach towards climate change and seasonality are the main implications of RMS calendar. A Tourism Weather Insurance (TWI) framework was developed to enhance the functionality of RMS calendar to promote marketing of the island’s tourism in terms of seasonality and variability of the climate time and space. Evaluation and monitoring process enables the proposed model to be adjusted to the RMS in the island based on the changes of potential natural and human factors. Limitations, managerial implications and research pathways for future studies were elaborated. Key Words: Tourism Climate Index, Risk Assessment of Tourism Climate, Information Diffusion Model, Recreation Management System, Ecological Modernization Theory, Tourism Weather Insurance, North Cyprus.