Tourism under pressure: over 1500 heat note and missed climate goals!
Tourism under pressure: over 1500 heat note and missed climate goals!
Saudi-Arabien - The tourism industry is currently faced with a huge problem - climate change that has inevitably felt over the past few years. Tragic figures underpin the extent of this challenge: over 1500 tourists died in different countries in 2024, including Saudi Arabia, Greece and Mexico, due to extreme heat. These alarming data make it clear that the tourism sector is not only affected by the climatic changes, but also actively contributes to increasing emissions, as a study in the "Journal of Sustainable Tourism" by Stefan Gössling and Daniel Scott shows. Over 25 out of 38 climate protection promises in the industry have hardly been implemented, which shows urgency for reform, because between 2009 and 2019 the global emissions of tourism rose by 3.5 percent annually, which exceeds the global economy. These trends cannot be ignored, because a considerable ecological footprint is a real threat.
What about in Germany? The connection between tourism and nature is particularly strong here. Climate change is a serious danger to the German tourism sector, as the Federal Environment Agency shows. Extreme events such as storms and floods not only endanger the tourist infrastructure, but also represent challenges for winter tourist destinations that are bound to snow. Adaptation to climate change is therefore essential. Without an intact environment, the attractiveness of the travel destinations will suffer, which is already visible due to the declines in nature as the deterioration in water quality.
historical development and present
The "Explanation of Davos on Climate Change and Tourism" from 2007 was a first attempt to show the need for action, but the implementation of many promised measures - as an analysis of recent years has illustrated - remained strongly behind expectations. Only five of the promise of climate protection in question have demonstrable progress, and the UN Tourism has hardly made any progress until 2025, when it comes to recording the climate emissions caused by tourism.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has meanwhile given up many of its climate promises, while relying on climate -neutral flies by 2050. In summary, the industry has recognized that more frequent trips, larger distances and increased air travel are the causes behind rising emissions. Tourism -driven prosperity promotes consumption, but the growth of the tourism sector is faster than the implementation of effective measures for decarbonization. At the same time, it was found that the tourism-related CO2 emissions now make up 8% of global emissions. An overdue turn is necessary.
adapt to the future
To be up to the challenges, a comprehensive adaptation strategy is required. This strategy includes the development of climate information systems for the forecast of future climate scenarios and the creation of action guidelines for destination managers. A Germany -wide vulnerability analysis for the tourism sector has already been carried out, and further updates are planned.
The main goal is to secure tourist attractiveness even in times of climate change. Adaptation measures should not only protect the environment, but also be economically viable.
The discussion about the future of tourism is about a crucial turn. While the industry is at the turning point between opportunities and challenges, it is to be hoped that closer cooperation between the various actors - from industry to governments to converting experts - will bring the necessary momentum. The time to act is now.
For deeper insights and further information on this topic, the comprehensive analyzes and articles on the websites of dailyzeiger.ch , Nature.com and DetailsOrt Saudi-Arabien Quellen