Tuvalu turns high tide into tourist attraction

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Updated September 3, 2009 16:59:12

Tuvalu is turning its devastating annual high tide into a festival, to attract tourists. The island chain, which at its highest is just four metres above sea level, will hold its first King Tide Festival in February next year. The Tuvalu government fears their country may be one of the first victims of climate change. But it's trying to turn its status as a low-lying atoll country vulnerable to rising sea levels into a plus for its tourist industry. Tourism officer for the Tuvalu government Fakasoa Tealei says they are turning the annual king tide, which threatens to inundate large parts of the country, into a tourist attraction. Fakasoa Tealei says sea level rise is an urgent issue for all Tuvaluans.

Presenter: Dimi Kyriakou
Speakers: Tuvalu Tourism Officer Fakasoa Tealei; a researcher at Melbourne's Victoria University, Terry DeLacy

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