El Niño’s Implications for the Victoria Falls Resort and Tourism Economy in the Era of Climate Change

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The premise for the manuscript seems suitable for Sustainability and is of potential interest to the journal readers. I thank the author for presenting an interesting study, which generally flows well and adds some exciting insights into the consequences of the last recorded El Nino event on the Victoria Falls resort, explicitly aiming at its potential implications for regional tourism. I think that the paper provides fresh outcomes, but it is organized and presented more as a research note-type article rather than an original scientific article. Moreover, some significant shortcomings need to be resolved: 

Abstract: The main research findings, along with the theoretical/practical implications, need to be included. After the author states the problem and the need to investigate, I suggest adding a short explanation of the study's outcomes and brief guidelines for the future.

1. Introduction: The section skips a detailed justification of the study's objective(s) and should be better articulated. The main limitation of the proposed research is the need for a more theoretical conceptualization of the study and the fact that the research that was conducted provides only a limited contribution to the existing knowledge regarding weather/climate effects on the travel industry. Even by indicating the intention to fill the mentioned research gaps by reviewing the impact of El Nino-induced droughts on the selected location, there still needs to be a clear picture of the projected research aim. Also, presenting more related cases on El Nino impacts from abroad in the Introduction would be highly beneficial. Future readers need to recognize the manuscript's explicit goal in order to follow the research findings and accompanying conclusions. 

2. Materials and Methods: This section needs significant enhancements. The author should provide an explanation of the justification of the mentioned quantitative and qualitative techniques, procedure, and data analysis in more detail. In addition, the clarification of the selection of the geographical area (Victoria Falls) is totally omitted, which makes the selection confusing for the readers. Why did the author choose this area, and what is its role in Zimbabwe's travel industry and the wider region? 

3. Results: The outcomes are exciting and essential for the study. However, my main concern is the presentation of Figures 4 and 5. What are they actually present in, and how do they contribute to the text, even though they are commented on? The Victora Falls and the Zambezi River at least should be introduced in both figures. Moreover, the upper grey part of Figure 5 means what? Modifications in the legends would also be essential. 

4. Conclusions and Recommendations: The proper interpretation and citation are entirely omitted. At the same time, it is essential to shed more light on the scientific significance and contribution of the paper, which needs to be clarified at this stage. Also, the limitations of the research and proposal for future research should be highlighted, which makes the apparent gap in the current concluding remarks. Moreover, how does this upgrade the reports from other sources given in the Introduction? The whole section needs to be rewritten and better explained. 

5. References: Including more sources on the impacts of El Nino worldwide is highly recommended. 

Generally, I would like to encourage the publication of this manuscript, but only after the MAJOR CHANGES are indicated. Good luck to the Editorial team and author!

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Extensive editing of the English language is required.

Author Response

Thank you for the in-depth feedback. We have taken time to reflect on the invaluable comments and revised the submission to address the same to the best of our ability. We hope you find the revisions adequate.

 

Kind Regards 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Author Response

Thank you for the in-depth feedback. We have taken time to reflect on the invaluable comments and revised the submission to address the same to the best of our ability. We hope you find the revisions adequate.

 

Kind Regards 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper is valuable overall with some enlightening insights concerning climate change and tourism flow at Victoria Falls. Findings are logically ordered. However, the paper has serious flaws in terms of the methodology process. The authors mentioned "Data analysis followed qualitative and quantitative data techniques. Content analysis was used on annual reports to obtain meaning. The authors need a systematic analysis process of content. Phillip Marrying suggested describing an approach of systematic, rule-guided qualitative text analysis, which tries to preserve some methodological strengths of quantitative content analysis and widen them to a concept of qualitative procedure. It is recommended that authors consider using this content analysis method to justify the results of the paper. 

In addition, the paper should revise "will" to the past tense. 

Author Response

Thank you for the in-depth feedback. We have taken time to reflect on the invaluable comments and revised the submission to address the same to the best of our ability. We hope you find the revisions adequate.

 

Kind Regards 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The author has adequately addressed most of the issues raised in my review, with the exception of the presentation of Figures 4 and 5. As I mentioned before, Victora Falls, along with the Zambezi River, should at least be introduced in both figures to follow their position on the map. 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

Moderate editing of the English language is required. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer 1

Thank you for the additional comments. Clearly we had not gotten what was needed exactly in R1. Needless to say, in as much as imposing the river would require shapefiles, which are not available, we have decided to address the query by providing Figure 1, which is an addition showing the river basin and Victoria Falls location. Secondly, we have indicated the location of Victoria Falls in Figures 4 and 5, as requested.

The manuscript was edited for English, which included running it through Grammarly Premium. We hope you will find this in order.

 

Kind Regards