The Impact of Climate Change on Some of the World's Most Popular Tourist Destinations

Many of today's popular tourist destinations face an uncertain future due to climate change. Heat waves are making some areas unbearably hot, raising the risk of forest fires and making summer visits progressively more uncomfortable. Rising sea levels threaten to submerge low-lying islands and coastal regions, potentially erasing them from the map. Climate Change doesn’t  only have an effect on land. Warmer ocean temperatures have already caused widespread coral bleaching, devastating underwater ecosystems that attract divers and snorkelers. Meanwhile, shorter winters and reduced snowfall are curtailing ski seasons, affecting winter tourism. 

Extreme weather events can inflict severe damage on local infrastructure, disrupting transportation and water supplies, in turn making it harder for tourists to reach and enjoy these destinations.

Venice, Italy

According to official city records, Venice has experienced 324 very intense high water events since 1872, with more than half (187) occurring in the past 30 years. Venice, situated in a shallow coastal lagoon, is especially vulnerable during high spring tides. Seasonal sirocco winds can also create "storm surges," pushing water across the Adriatic Sea into the lagoon and toward the city. When high tides and storm surges coincide, the resulting flooding can be grievous. 

The increasing severity of flooding in Venice is due to both rising sea levels and the city's gradual sinking, occuring at about 1mm per year due to natural processes and past groundwater pumping. The sinking makes Venice much more susceptible to tides and storms from the Adriatic. Since 1872, the average sea level in Venice has risen by approximately 32cm. Climate expert Dario Camuffo's research indicates a total rise of around 61cm since the 1750s, using historical proxies such as architectural details and algae marks in paintings. This all makes for a city that is slowly, but increasingly  sinking.

The Alps

This European mountain range has long been a paradise for skiers, spanning eight countries and offering some of the world's most coveted slopes. Even so, rising temperatures are causing an alarming amount of snowmelt, shortening the winter sports season. In 2017, the season was 38 days shorter than in 1960, according to Time Magazine. Even more of a cause for concern is that scientists predict that by the end of the century, snow will only be found above 10,000 feet. To adapt, many resorts are diversifying their offerings, providing spa treatments and outdoor activities like horseback riding or tennis to attract more off-season visitors as the off-season continues to grow.

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans, famous for Bourbon Street, Frenchman Street, and its lively cocktail scene, offers a unique and customizable experience. Despite its tourism showing no sign of slowing down, its location makes it vulnerable to natural disasters, as proven by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Despite infrastructure improvements, the city remains at risk from frequent tropical storms, the Mississippi River flooding, and a 62 percent increase in extreme rain events since 1950. Climate change is worsening these challenges with rising temperatures, more frequent extreme rainfall, and rising sea levels. The impacts will vary across the city, influenced by factors such as income, race, age, and access to greenspaces. Findings on temperature changes, heat danger days, and extreme precipitation events alongside the demographic and environmental factors are being used to give New Orleans the best chance at a resilient future.

The Maldives

Located in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives consists of a series of atolls—ring-shaped islands formed from coral—with year-round temperatures between 81–84 degrees Fahrenheit, making it an ideal destination for beach enthusiasts. However, as the lowest-lying country in the world, averaging just 1.3 meters above sea level, the Maldives faces the threat of disappearing entirely due to rising sea levels that are already displacing residents. During the United Nations (U.N). climate talks in December 2019, the Maldives urgently requested infrastructure funding, warning that without immediate action, entire islands could soon be submerged by rising waters.

Mitigation and adaptation strategies are what is needed to preserve these cherished locations. Collaborative efforts on a global scale would be what is needed to protect these destinations for future generations. Travelers and global citizens of each respective destination have the responsibility to support sustainable practices and advocate for policies that address climate change if they want these places to survive the next century.