Tourism bodies and experts predict that the soaring summer temperatures experienced across southern Europe could lead to a lasting change in tourist habits. Travelers are expected to choose cooler destinations or shift their holiday plans to the spring or autumn seasons in order to avoid extreme heat.
Data from the European Travel Commission (ETC) reveals a 10 percent decrease in the number of people planning to travel to the Mediterranean region between June and November compared to last year. This decline can be attributed to scorching weather in the previous year, which resulted in droughts and wildfires. On the other hand, countries like the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ireland, and Bulgaria have witnessed a surge in interest as alternative destinations.
Miguel Sanz, the head of the ETC, states, “We anticipate that unpredictable weather conditions in the future will have a greater impact on travelers’ choices in Europe.” According to a report by the trade body, 7.6 percent of travelers now consider extreme weather events a major concern when planning trips between June and November.
Although demand for travel has rebounded this summer as tourists emerge from pandemic restrictions, travel companies report that the heatwaves have not yet led to significant cancellations. British travelers, in particular, have booked fewer holidays domestically and opted for Mediterranean destinations, often booking well in advance as they seek beach getaways after the lockdown period. However, this balance may shift as heatwaves become more intense.
Scientists have long warned about the consequences of climate change caused by CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels, which make weather events more frequent, severe, and lethal. Meteorologists predict that temperatures in the coming week may surpass Europe’s current record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (119.84 Fahrenheit), set in Sicily in August 2021, raising concerns of a repeat of last year’s heat-related deaths.
Stories of tourists being rescued from Italian beaches or seeking medical attention at Athens’ Acropolis have dominated European media in recent weeks. As a result, there has been a decline in interest in traveling in August, the peak summer month, while more Europeans are considering trips during the autumn season.
Tourists in Rome have expressed their hesitations about booking trips in July, struggling to stay hydrated, find cool spots, and locate air-conditioned areas to rest. The potential decline in summer tourism is a concern for Italy’s economy, which heavily relies on busy summer traffic. Italy’s Environment Ministry has warned that in the future, foreign tourists may opt for spring and autumn travel and choose cooler destinations.
There is hope that the shift in tourist traffic will not result in an overall reduction, but rather a redistribution of travelers. Greece, for example, has experienced a significant increase in international air arrivals, with the possibility of overcrowding in summer tourist hotspots like Mykonos. Encouraging travel during winter, spring, and autumn could alleviate this issue and compensate for any potential summer slowdown, as suggested by the Greek environment ministry.
In Spain, high demand for vacations is expected in coastal destinations in the north of the country and on Spanish tourist islands, where temperatures tend to be cooler during the summer months. Spaniards Daniel Otero and Rebeca Vazquez, who were visiting Bilbao, stated that they may consider shifting their holiday to June next year to enjoy cooler and more comfortable conditions.