The power of climate and its impact on tourism: a pleasant climate is a prerequisite for tourists staying in a destination

What does it mean to reconcile climate change and tourism, are summer vacations in the mountains and winter holidays at the sea our new reality, and how can we protect green tourism, and thus ourselves, are the questions answered today Zoran Vakula, a well-known meteorologist of Croatian Radio and Television and Ph.D. Izidora Marković Vukadin, senior research associate at the Institute for Tourism.

Namely, they were the main participants in the panel discussion "Where is Croatian tourism going? Shall we go relaxed towards the south or boldly towards Velebit?", held in the organization Croatian National Tourist Board as part of the traditional tourist event Days of Croatian tourism (DHT).

He gave an introduction to the discussion on the relationship between climate and tourism Kristjan Staničić, director of the Croatian Tourist Board, pointing out that the latest research by the European Travel Commission (ETC) on tourists' travel intentions, stated that in the coming period, Europeans will primarily choose trips and destinations based on several important factors, of which safety and a pleasant and stable climate are especially highlighted .

Staničić: Europeans increasingly choose destinations based on climate conditions 

"The power of climate change is unquestionable, as well as its impact on the stability of the tourism industry, including Croatian tourism. This was proven, among other things, by the ETC survey, which found that the majority of respondents changed their behavior in some way when traveling, precisely because of climatic extremes, as a result of which they follow weather forecasts more often, avoid destinations where temperatures reach high values, and deliberately choose destinations with mild climate. Accordingly, I am very glad that at this year's DHT we have the opportunity to hear concrete answers and solutions with which we can all together shape a greener future for our sector and achieve the goals of sustainable tourism.", said the director Stanicic.

The protagonists of the HTZ panel agreed that sustainability in tourism and a timely strategic approach in the further development of Croatian tourism are necessary in order to secure a competitive position for our country as a tourist destination on the tourist market.

That's right Zoran Vakula stressed that the combination of climate with water and atmosphere pollution, among other things, also puts tourists at risk. "Due to the increasingly frequent and fiercer extremes, we are forced to change our behavior, and thus our approach to travel, i.e. tourism. Accordingly, we must keep in mind that people actually change destinations in order to feel good, i.e. they go where the climate is most suitable for them", he stressed Vakula.

Izidora Marković Vukadin said that our adaptation to the times is the key thing that awaits us. "The climate is a critical global challenge whose impact is not equal in all economic systems. In addition, we are witnessing an increase in emissions from tourism, which are motivated by tourist traffic. Tourism affects climate change to a certain extent, however, it is also true that it is highly dependent on environmental resources, and it is a fact that a pleasant climate is a prerequisite for tourists to stay in the destination., she said Marković Vukadin.

In the continuation of today's program at the Days of Croatian Tourism, a panel will be held Croatian Chamber of Commerce called "Where does happiness reside? How to put architecture & design into the function of a premium offer?" during which leading Croatian architects will discuss global trends in the development of premium destinations and design practices that contribute to the creation of top tourist products. 

This year's DHT will be rounded off with tonight's with the annual tourist awards ceremony with live television broadcast.                           

Photo: HTZ