Introduction

Over the past years the link between climate change and the frequency and intensity of weather events became very clear. According to the World Tourism Organization, climate change due to global warming will bring major changes to the tourism industry. Some destinations should start with a long-term planning and need education about the recovery from natural disasters. Climate change is a very complex issue and every part of society should be actively involved in identifying the problem and solving it. By the mid-21st century, the tourism industry could be changed forever by global warming.  

Original article: http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/20399

Essay by Renske Bijl
Master in Tourism Destination Management student 2008/2009

Natural disasters over the last years, the Asian tsunami, hurricanes in the United States and Caribbean, earthquakes in the Middle East and floods in Central Europe, have to do with climate change. Seven of the ten deadliest disasters of the last 20 years have occurred between 2000 and 2006. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), climate change could bring major changes to the tourism industry.

Extreme weather conditions threaten the health and safety of tourists and can destroy basic infrastructure. The images alone of a disaster can discourage potential tourists from traveling to a certain destination, which means that the local economy will be hit by the decline in visitor numbers. Climate change can also transform the natural environment that attracts tourists in the first place. Beach destinations, winter sports and all outdoor tourism activities depend highly on favorable climate conditions. Regions as the Mediterranean could become too hot for summer holidays, while a lack of snow in the Alps could destroy the winter sports business.

Given the range and size of potential impacts of climate change on tourism, and vice versa, the need to raise awareness of this issue among tourism stakeholders is high. Travel fairs have a big responsibility in paying attention to climate change and its consequences for the tourism industry. Johan Lindberg, TUR Travel exhibition manager, states that as a travel fair organizer it is very important to discuss climate change. Climate change is part of a lot of disasters in the last few years, it must be a global governmental issue. Tom Nutley, chairman of International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA) says that the strength of exhibitions is to focus on what is happening in the next 12-18 months, but some destinations will have to make long-term strategic decisions. It is very important to educate the tourism industry about how to recover from natural disasters.

The issue of climate change and tourism has been a major topic of various discussions in the past ten years. However, the year 2005 opened the eyes of the outside world with 88.177 deaths globally caused by natural disasters, from January to October of that year. Poor developing countries are the most affected and they have the least capacity to deal with climate change. Climate change is a very complex issue and every part of society should be actively involved in identifying the problem and solving it.

The European Commission proposed to build a new alliance on climate change between the European Union and poor developing countries who will be the hardest hit by the effects of climate change. I believe the European Union has to take a leading role in promoting international action to deal with climate change. Developing countries need to be prepared for natural disasters and need to adapt themselves to the changes that already occur.