Evaluation of Coastal Tourism Vulnerability to Climate Change Using AHP and Vulnerability Index – A Case Study of Sam Son City, Vietnam

Abstract

This study assesses the vulnerability of coastal tourism to climate change in Sam Son using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and vulnerability index. The framework incorporates three components: exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, with each component being quantified through weighted indicators derived from expert evaluations and standardized data. The results indicate that key tourism zones, particularly the Truong Le mountain area and Quang Cu ward, face high vulnerability due to their geographical location and low adaptive capacity, while inland areas exhibit greater resilience. These findings highlight significant spatial disparities in climate risk and underscore the importance of tailored adaptation strategies, including investment in infrastructure, disaster preparedness training, and climate-resilient tourism planning. This integrated approach not only provides a replicable model for assessing the climate sensitivity of tourism systems but also contributes to the development of sustainable policies for other coastal cities facing climate-related risks.