Record-breaking temperatures in top summer travel destinations, including Italy, Spain and Greece, have raised concerns for the vast numbers of travelers in the region this year.
The New York Times reports that in some parts of Italy including Sardinia and Sicily, temperatures are close to 118 degrees Fahrenheit, but forecasts predict that the heat wave will pass by the end of July. Though the heat wave is temporary, sources across the web report that this may be the coolest summer for the rest of your life.
The fourth of July became the hottest day on Earth in recorded history with an average global temperature of almost 63 degrees Fahrenheit, after June was deemed the overall hottest month on record.
With these sweltering cities and sky high temperatures, many can hardly imagine a summer hotter than this one. So what do consistently rising temperatures mean for the future of travel?
Summer travel will likely decrease. Travelers are starting to realize that though a summer abroad sounds amazing, the reality is quite difficult. Staying hydrated, keeping cool and minimizing activity are hard to do when you’re touring cities with a full itinerary. Those who spent their money on expensive vacations are likely to change their plans to beat the heat.
Most European cities do not have facilities equipped with air conditioning, so escaping the heat by staying indoors will only provide some relief. The NYT reports that “just one in 10 European households have air conditioning, compared to 90 percent in the United States.”
International travel will increase in the off-season. We’ll likely see more people traveling during the spring and fall months, and potentially more winter travel. Money saving deals that usually come with off-season travel could also decrease and make traveling in the cooler months more expensive.
Tourists must learn to adapt. Those who decide to continue traveling during the summer months in future years will have to bring the intensity down a notch. There are many places where the slow lifestyle makes the summer heat more bearable. Places like Spain and Southern Italy, where siesta or lunch means locals are sleeping or eating during the hottest part of the afternoon, have got the right idea.
Tourists who decide to travel to places like southern Spain, Italy, Greece, Malta, Africa and more may have to adopt this lifestyle and accept that the heat is far too dangerous to be out walking in the sun all day.
Tourists will travel to cooler climates. Though coastal countries that provide a balance of sea and city are a favorite amongst travelers, travel trends might shift to cooler areas for the summer months. We may see summer travel increase in Nordic countries like Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Holland, and Northern European countries might see more tourist as well.
The most import thing we can do now is to change our lifestyles to mitigate the effects of climate change.