Summer tourism in Austria and climate change (original) (raw)

Analysis of Summer Tourism Period for Austria Based on Climate Variables on Daily Basis

2007

An analysis of the meteorological and climatological parameters relevant for tourism climatology and human biometeorology is based on climate conditions for 1961 - 1990 and scenarios for the period 2021 - 2050, calculated by the Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology in Hamburg. For Austria it can be expected that in the future (2021-2050) the summer tourism period will start earlier and end later in the year compared to the current situation. The period for recreation and leisure will be extended; also the months in spring and fall will offer comfortable thermal conditions for outdoor activities. However, this positive trend is opposed by not only an increase of the frequency and intensity of heat stress but also by an increase in days with sultriness in areas below 1000 m above sea level. It is also likely that there will be a slight increase of days with longer rain events. An decrease of the number of days with light or no rain will not compensate for that. The Climatic Tourism In...

Assessment of tourism and recreation destinations under climate change conditions in Austria

Meteorologische Zeitschrift, 2012

Tourism and recreation are important economic factors which are directly connected to weather and climate of a specific destination. Based on the observation network of the Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics of Austria (ZAMG), data of 37 stations has been collected and analysed for tourism and recreation purposes. The analysis was based on long term data sets which were processed in relevant ways for tourism and recreation, resulting in frequency diagrams of Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and precipitation. Additionally, we prepared the results according to the demands of tourism and recreation authorities and industry using the Climate-Tourism/Transfer-Information-Scheme (CTIS). Applying data from the regional climate models REMO and CLM we can provide information on future climate conditions in Austria's recreation areas. We chose two different time slices and IPCC emission scenarios (A1B, B1). The data was processed based on the threshold factors which are included in the CTIS (e.g. thermal comfort, heat stress, cold stress, sunshine, etc.). For the time slice 2021-2050 only moderate changes can be expected. But for 2071-2100 one can observe a distinct decrease of cold stress and the skiing potential. On the other hand, moderate increases of thermal comfort, heat stress, sultriness and sunshine are expected. No tendencies can be seen in precipitation and wind conditions.

Climate Change and the Austrian Tourism Sector: Impacts, Adaptation and Macroeconomic Spillover Effects

2013

Even if all greenhouse gas emissions stopped at once, temperatures are predicted to continue rising due to the inertia of the climate system. As skiing tourism in the Austrian Alps is highly climate sensitive, higher temperature and changed precipitation patterns require increased artificial snow making. However, spa and urban tourism rely less on climatic conditions and may benefit from a shift in demand. In this paper, we assess the different climate change impacts and adaptation options for the Austrian tourism sector up to 2050 by taking account of macroeconomic feedback effects. We find in each of the climate scenarios negative effects on demand in all tourism region types. For the summer season, the extent of potential climate change impacts are found to be smaller and the impact direction to be less clear. Due to macroeconomic feedback effects, also non-tourism sectors are affected, but while until 2020 negative spillover effects emerge due to reduced demand from tourism sect...

Adaptation to Climate Change in Austria: Agriculture and Tourism (ADAPT.AT)

2013

The BLUE GLOBE REPORT shows the competence and variety of approaches chosen by Austrian industry and research in striving to come up with solutions for the central tasks of the future. The Climate and Energy Fund has made it its strategy to provide specific impulses through long-term subsidy programs, programs to create an excellent starting position for Austrian companies and institutions in international competition. Each year the Climate and Energy Fund has a budget of up to 150 million euros for promoting sustainable energy and transport projects in line with the climate protection goals. These funds are used to support ideas, concepts and projects in the areas of research, mobility, and market penetration. The Climate and Energy Fund's BLUE GLOBE REPORT informs about project results thus supporting the application of innovation in practice. In addition to technological innovations in energy and transport it also discusses social topics and the scientific base for political planing processes. The BLUE GLOBE REPORT is made available to the interested public via the www.klimafonds.gv.at website and invites readers to a critical discussion. The current report documents the results of a project from the "ACRP" research program with the goal of providing the scientific basis for increasingly important decisions on climate adjustment measures and as such constituting a solid basis on which stakeholders can base their decisions. We are the right partner for whoever decides to take a sustainable part in the future. The Climate and Energy Fund promotes innovative solutions for the future!

Climate Change and Tourism in Northwestern Europe: Impacts and Adaptation

Tourism Analysis, 2008

Each summer millions of northern Europeans have historically escaped the unfavorable weather conditions in their countries in search of the traditional "sun, sand, and sea" vacation in the Mediterranean region. Climate change may alter this longstanding tourism flow, however. Based on combination of a series of scientific climate change scenarios with the Tourism Climatic Index (TCI), a method of evaluating a location's climate for general tourism activity, this article examines projected changes in climatic suitability for tourism in northwestern Europe. Under all the scenarios considered, peak season conditions throughout northwestern Europe are projected to improve over the course of the coming century. In addition, the length of the peak season is also projected to increase in many regions, encompassing not only summer, but extending also into spring and autumn. Our findings suggest that projected climate change could considerably enhance northwestern Europe's competitive advantage relative to the Mediterranean in the summer season. Such shifts in climatic suitability could potentially have substantial impacts on the volumes, spatial distributions, and timing of travel within and to Europe. Together, these alterations to tourism activity have profound implications for the operation of the European tourism industry, from the planning, location, and development of new accommodations, transportation routes, and attractions, to the staffing and operation of existing enterprises. As discussed further in the article, the ability of tourism businesses to successfully adapt to these new conditions is likely to depend heavily on their recognition of climate change as an issue (i.e., the adoption of a proactive rather than reactive stance); to their organizational flexibility; and to the mobility of their capital investments.

Impacts of Climate Change on Tourism

Global Environmental Change: Challenges to Science and Society in Southeastern Europe, 2010

The paper outlines the conceptual framework of the different types of climate change impacts and justifies the necessity of economic impact studies, especially on a local level. Results of a number of impacts studies on a global level (about international tourist flows and expenditures), as well as on a European and country level (both about summer and winter tourism) have been examined. However, the purpose is not to give single values of damage or impact of climate change, but to explore the plausible ranges of impacts. In conclusion, the paper presents the expected results of a new research project-CLAVIER (Climate Change and Viability: Impacts on Central and Easter) funded by the 6th Framework Programme and aiming at filling in the research gap concerning studies on a local level, related especially to economic impact and vulnerability issues.

Climate change: the impact on tourism comfort at three Italian tourist sites

2004

A large number of studies have shown that climate change has a great impact on human health, and on other living organisms. In the Mediterranean area, in particular, the fact that heat-waves are frequent and persistent, often associated with low water availability, and that winter precipitation has undergone modification related to the rising altitude of the thermal zero, highlights concerns that such change could have an increasing impact on tourism. Rather than studying the Mediterranean as a whole, this paper focused on Italy. Many Italian cities are characterised by a mild climate, generally without temperature extremes. Together with other attractive attributes, such as history, architecture and favourable geographical position, climate helps to make Italy an important destination for tourists. This study was based on a biometeorological approach to tourist activities in all seasons by using climatological scenarios in three Central Italian tourist sites: