A conflict with tourism in Barcelona
The problem of tourism in Barcelona is a well-known issue. Videos on social networks where foreign residents and digital nomads give their opinion on the price of a coffee in the city center for four euros and consider it fair, generate indignation among many. Furthermore, the constant increase in rental prices and the difficulty of acquiring a home in the Catalan capital is an unavoidable reality.
Changing habits due to rising temperatures
Although some argue that summer has not yet arrived due to the absence of an intense heat wave, it is undeniable that the increase in temperatures is affecting habits. With heat waves increasing and wildfires becoming more frequent, tourists are changing their travel plans. According to a recent survey by the European Travel Commission (ETC), 76% of European travelers are adjusting their behavior due to the climate crisis.
Tourists are looking for new destinations
Concern about extreme weather affects both travelers and professionals in the tourism sector. This year, the ETC has begun asking respondents about how the climate emergency influences their vacation plans. According to the survey, 33.7% of Europeans avoid destinations with a high probability of extreme weather events and 17.3% avoid places with very high temperatures. In addition, 16% look for destinations with more stable weather conditions.
About 8.5% of respondents say they are changing the months in which they travel, and one in ten travelers express concern about extreme weather conditions. Despite these changes, the ETC report reveals that August remains one of the most popular months for travel between May and October.
Climate and destination preferences
Warm places like Italy, Spain, France and Greece remain top choices for tourists. However, some travelers who used to enjoy summer are now concerned about rising temperatures and are looking for other destinations during these months. This phenomenon is not new, since last year there was speculation that tourists could change destinations due to heat waves.
Adjustments in tourist demand
Last year, a report by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center indicated that tourism demand could decline in southern Europe’s coastal regions. In contrast, tourist interest may increase in April and decrease in July. Although tourism will continue to grow, the study ‘Regional Impact of Climate Change on European Tourism Demand’ evaluated changes in tourism demand according to different climate scenarios.
According to projections, a general increase in European tourism demand is expected, with an increase of 1.58% in the most extreme scenario (4 °C). However, the results are mixed: an increase in demand is expected in central and northern Europe, while in the south demand may decrease.
Changes in tourist seasonality
Considerable changes in seasonality patterns are anticipated, with different impacts depending on the region. Northern European coastal regions could see an increase of more than 5% in demand during summer and early autumn. On the other hand, southern coastal regions could experience a reduction of close to 10% in tourist influx in the summer months, especially under more extreme warming scenarios (3°C and 4°C).
