Case Study: Dominica’s Climate Resilient Tourism Transformation

Dominica’s journey toward climate resilience offers powerful lessons for island destinations worldwide. Following the devastation of Hurricane Maria in 2017, which damaged 90% of the island’s structures, Dominica made a bold commitment to become the world’s first climate-resilient nation.

Our team at Leve Global worked closely with the Discover Dominica Authority to develop a Climate Resilient Tourism Policy and Master Plan that would turn this vision into reality. Key elements included:

Nature-Based Resilience

Rather than fighting against natural processes, Dominica’s approach embraces them. The strategy leverages the island’s volcanic topography, abundant freshwater, and dense forests as natural buffers against climate impacts while positioning these features as tourism assets.

The plan included developing geothermal tourism experiences, creating climate-resilient hiking trails, and establishing marine protected areas that enhance both ecological resilience and visitor experiences.

Community-Centered Adaptation

Recognizing that resilient communities are the foundation of a resilient tourism sector, the plan emphasized local ownership and participation. Community-based tourism initiatives, local agricultural linkages, and traditional knowledge integration ensure that climate adaptation benefits extend beyond the tourism sector to strengthen overall societal resilience.

Resilient by Design

All new tourism developments in Dominica must now adhere to strict building codes designed to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. But resilience goes beyond storm protection—it includes energy and water self-sufficiency, waste reduction systems, and locally sourced materials that reduce carbon footprints while supporting the local economy.

Results: Turning Nature into a Sustainable Advantage

The implementation of this climate-resilient tourism strategy has transformed Dominica’s tourism sector. Visitor numbers have rebounded beyond pre-hurricane levels, with the island attracting a growing segment of travelers specifically interested in experiencing its climate resilience initiatives.

More importantly, the strategy has created a tourism model that strengthens rather than depletes the natural systems on which the island depends, truly “turning nature into a sustainable advantage.”