ABSTRACT

This chapter explains some of the key elements that characterise the relationship between climate and tourism in Europe. It addresses the sensitivity of key actors in tourism to weather and climate. The chapter presents the main findings of the four-year project on the impacts on climate change on coastal tourism and the vulnerability of the sector. It also presents the state-of-the-art knowledge on climate and tourism, paying special attention to coastal and marine environments. The chapter explores the way weather conditions determine participation in sun, sea and sand recreation. In this context, sun, sea and sand tourism refers to light activities commonly associated with sunbathing by the seashore and therefore implying a high exposure of the body to the weather elements. The chapter shows that the effects climate change will have on the climatic suitability of destinations for 3S tourism as compared to conditions.