The effects of climate change on tourism are real: do you know how it is affecting it?
There are three key factors that determine the choice of a tourist destination: climate, natural environment and safety. This premise is especially true for nature destinations. If you think about it, what is the first thing you look for if you are looking for a beach destination? And if you want to go skiing? In both cases, you want the weather conditions to be favorable for the type of trip you’re looking for. But we didn’t count on the fact that the onset of global warming and, therefore, climate change could cause such a swing in temperatures and meteorological phenomena in certain places that they start to be eliminated from the tourist map.
The relationship between tourism and climate change is a curious one. On the one hand, the former has a major impact on the latter. On the other hand, the latter could be responsible for the reduction of the former in certain corners of the world. Tourism is therefore both a cause and an effect of climate change.
This is how climate change affects tourism, or is it the latter that affects the environment?
During a trip, our comfort does not come at no cost to the environment. Every little detail adds up: abusive use of water, heating and air conditioning systems, food supply, irrigation systems, artificial snow production (in the case of a winter destination), etc. We could, in fact, divide into three broad categories the three actors causing the majority of CO2 emissions in the tourism sector: accommodation, transport and tourism activities.
According to a report prepared a few years ago by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) together with other organizations, it is precisely transport (and especially air transport) that generates the greatest number of CO2 emissions. Specifically, 1 billion tons of CO2 per year.
It is worth remembering that the increase in greenhouse gas emissions is already resulting in an increase in the average annual temperature. The effects are well known: rising sea levels, extreme temperatures, increased intensity of adverse weather phenomena such as cyclones, hurricanes, storms, typhoons, tsunamis…
The proliferation of natural disasters can cause traditionally very touristy destinations to become high-risk hotspots."
And all this... what does it translate into?
Given the close link between climate conditions and tourism, it is safe to say that these environmental changes are doing tourism a disservice. According to the UNWTO, the most sensitive destinations are island, coastal and mountain destinations, as they are closely linked to nature activities. Let’s take a look at how increasing climate change may affect tourism:
1. Loss of tourist attractiveness
There are destinations that base their tourist attractiveness on a benevolent climate. This is the case of Caribbean, Asian or African beaches, for example. If these places begin to fall victim to hurricanes, typhoons and other inclemencies that prevent them from being enjoyed in all their splendor, tourism will unfortunately dissipate. The same can happen with ski resorts, which may be forced to produce artificial snow because of warmer winters.
2. Worsening the situation
Some destinations are already experiencing severe drought problems. However, climate change could worsen the situation. Today, there are countries with water shortages that, nevertheless, do not skimp on facilities for tourists: swimming pools, unlimited showers, water parks…
3. Natural disasters
There are some somewhat complex correlations around climate change. For example, global warming is causing much more water to evaporate from the oceans, resulting in torrential rains in other parts of the world. The proliferation of natural disasters can cause traditionally high-tourist destinations to become high-risk hotspots.
4. Biodiversity reduction
Climate change is also related to biodiversity loss. For example, in Australia, experts predict that, by 2030, the Barrier Reef will have been reduced by 60% due to ocean acidification caused by CO2 absorption. Scenarios such as glaciers and the Alps are also suffering from warming. Avalanches and landslides are becoming more frequent, with the resulting damage to the fauna and flora of these habitats.
In the end, we all lose: environment, tourists and local economy. Being aware of the problem, you will agree that sustainable travel is the way to go.
