This working paper explores the current development pattern of Senegal from geographical and economic perspectives, and its impact on climate vulnerability. It focuses on analysing tourism as a representative sector of economic tertiarisation, and examines new issues related to urbanisation and coastal area land use that have been raised as a result of Senegal’s development.

The paper assesses how current economic development has resulted in inequalities in terms of exposure and sensitivity to climate, largely as a result of unbalanced economic development. It argues that sectoral diversification of the tourism sector can strengthen economic resilience, but only if combined with the diversification of products, services and markets is it likely to be effective and sustainable.