The Impact of Climate Change on European Tourism and Visitor Behavior

Abstract

Tourism is one of Europe's most economically significant sectors, yet its dependence on stable climatic conditions renders it highly vulnerable to global warming. This study examines how climate change is reshaping European tourism patterns, visitor behavior, and destination management between 2021 and 2024. Using a qualitative content analysis of academic research, policy documents, and media reports, the paper synthesizes evidence on the environmental, behavioral, and institutional dimensions of adaptation. The findings reveal that climate change is driving both physical and behavioral transformations: alpine and Mediterranean destinations face mounting exposure to snow scarcity, heatwaves, and wildfires, while tourists increasingly display spatial, temporal, and qualitative adaptation—shifting toward cooler, higher-altitude, or off-peak destinations and favoring sustainable, experience-based travel. European destinations such as Berlin and Barcelona have begun adopting "quality-over-quantity" tourism strategies, integrating climate mitigation, sustainable mobility, and visitor-management reforms. However, adaptation remains uneven; many operators continue to prioritize short-term recovery, and the rise of premium "low-impact" tourism risks excluding lower-income travelers. The study highlights an emerging need for integrated governance that aligns climate adaptation, social equity, and sustainable economic outcomes. Lessons from Europe are relevant for Indonesia, where rising sea levels, coral bleaching, and heat stress threaten major destinations. Drawing from European experience, Indonesia should implement climate action plans, diversify tourism products, strengthen community-based adaptation, and invest in low-emission transport infrastructure. The transition from climate-dependent to climate-resilient tourism will require coordinated policy, scientific insight, and ethical governance to sustain tourism's contribution under accelerating climatic change.