Archive · 23 Aug 2025
Climate Change Fuels Tourism Shift to 'Cooler' Destinations
The Earth is getting hotter, which is making it less fun to visit some places.
People are now looking for 'coolcations' – vacations in places that are not as hot.
Cities are trying to help tourists beat the heat by building parks, using special pavements, and even using snow to cool things down.
Some places are losing tourists because it's too hot, while others are getting more visitors.
It's all because of climate change, which is changing where people want to go on vacation.
Climate change is causing tourists to seek cooler destinations, known as "coolcations."
Hot spots like Greece and Portugal are losing tourists due to extreme heat, while cooler regions like Antarctica and Iceland gain popularity.
Cities worldwide are implementing various strategies to combat heat, including cool pavements, green spaces, and water-based cooling systems.
Some cities are adapting traditional methods, like wind tunnels, and utilizing snow for cooling.
Europe anticipates a tourism shift, with northern regions possibly gaining tourists while southern areas may lose them.
- Who
- Tourists and the tourism industry.
- What
- Tourists are shifting to "coolcations" due to climate change impacts on traditional tourist destinations.
- When
- The trend is currently happening and is expected to continue.
- Where
- Globally, with specific examples in Europe, Abu Dhabi, Harbin, Sapporo, Copenhagen, Paris, Singapore, and Phoenix.
- Why
- Due to rising temperatures, heat waves, and other climate change effects.
Impacts of Climate Change on Tourism
Cool Destination Benefits
Tourism Demand
Impacts of Climate Change on Tourism
Areas with extreme heat lose tourists.
Cool Destination Benefits
Cooler regions gain tourism from the shift.
- Masdar City (Abu Dhabi)
- Uses solar panels and wind tunnels for cooling.
- Harbin, China
- Offers a summertime ice festival in response to rising temperatures.
- Copenhagen
- Offers discounts to climate-friendly tourists and has open-water swimming.
- Paris
- Offers "cool islands" and allows swimming in the Seine River.
- Phoenix
- Uses cool pavement and offers water-based activities.