Rising Temperatures Might Lead Tourists To Avoid The Mediterranean

With water temperatures reaching 30 degrees Celsius in Spain, tourists are avoiding the region and instead heading to more temperate places like Ireland and Denmark.

 

A research by the European Travel Commission suggests that the region's repeated heatwaves and mounting anxieties about the climate issue may signal the starting point of tourists avoiding the Mediterranean as a vacation destination, as the number of people planning to go to the areas is down 10% from the previous year. Quite the opposite, the popularity of countries like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland, and Denmark is on the rise. Climate change and increased heat have also become considerations when choosing a place to spend the holidays.

Tourists in Spain, Italy, and Greece have avoided the sun for the last week after authorities issued safety alerts urging people to remain inside. Water temperatures in the Balearics and off the east coast of Spain may exceed 30 degrees Celsius, so even diving in won't provide much respite.

Temperatures hit 45 degrees Celsius in the town of Figueres, which is just a few kilometres from the French border, and 36 degrees Celsius in Barcelona, where the oppressive humidity made living almost impossible.

The Costa del Sol's beaches continue to draw tourists, but two consecutive summers with temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius may discourage even the most enthusiastic sunbathers.

“Heatwaves are having an impact on the choice of holiday destinations. The extreme temperatures are a disincentive for some types of tourists to travel to the Mediterranean. Climate change may lead to a change of perception of tourism”, explained Zoritsa Urosevic, executive director of the World Tourism Organisation.

Asturias, Cantabria, and the Pyrenees, which are located in Spain's colder north, have seen a surge in tourists, according to the country's hoteliers' organization.

These regions are also far less populated than the Mediterranean. However, according to a research compiled by the municipal council of Barcelona, the primary criticism of tourists is that the city is overrun with visitors.

Extreme heat has also brought protracted drought, which has hit the Costa Brava in north-east Spain particularly hard. Hotel swimming pools and golf courses may be affected by water constraints as agricultural competes with tourist for a limited resource.

The EU research found that increasing prices were the primary worry of European travellers, with 24% reporting that it impacted their plans, as hotels and restaurants throughout Europe have raised rates as a means of making up for financial losses sustained during the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Source: theguardian.com