Rising Temperatures Reshape Tourism Patterns in Southern Europe, Impacting Hotel Occupancy and Investment Strategies
Rising temperatures are significantly altering tourism patterns in Southern Europe, compelling hotels and destinations to re-evaluate their investment, adaptation, and management strategies. Pedro Aznar, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at Esade and researcher at GRUGET, highlights how extreme heat, once a draw for tourists, is now discouraging visitors and shifting travel flows. His research focuses on the relationship between temperatures, hotel occupancy, and tourism seasonality in Southern European cities. Traditionally known for their warm weather, these cities are now experiencing a new reality where high temperatures can lead to reduced hotel occupancy rates. This shift is causing tourists to seek cooler destinations or plan their travel during different times of the year, away from the peak summer heat. The changing climate is creating both winners and losers within the tourism industry, necessitating that hotels incorporate climate risk into their planning and investment decision...
