The effects of climate change on tourism

Climate change is one of the major environmental issues facing the world today. The ongoing global warming has had and will continue to have serious impact on natural environment. The impact of climate change on the natural environment is manifested in changes in geography, landscape and ecosystems. Tourism is one of the sectors causing global climate change. This is an undisputed fact and policy makers and business leaders are well aware of it. However, there is fewer consensus about the degree to which tourism and the emissions caused by tourism actually contribute to climate change. Tourism is vital for many countries, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the service industries associated with tourism. These service industries include transportation services, such as airlines, cruise ships and taxis, hospitality services, such as accommodations, including hotels and resorts, and entertainment venues, such as amusement parks, casinos, shopping malls, various music venues and theatres. The impacts of climate change on tourism are likely to manifest themselves in a number of different ways according to local conditions. Many of these impacts will develop indirectly through increased stresses placed on environmental systems. Winter tourism may also be affected, as the Alps and other skiing destinations experience less snowfall and shorter skiing seasons. These impacts will be especially pronounced in the lower-lying ski resorts. However, the picture is by no means entirely negative. The attraction of many holiday resorts is the prospect of guaranteed sunshine and heat. Tourism has the potential to lift people out of poverty through the employment and entrepreneurial opportunities it provides, and the recognition of tourism´s role in poverty alleviation has made it a substantial component of the international development and trade agenda.