Relationship between tourism demand in the Swiss Alps and hot summer air temperatures associated with climate change
Gaelle Serquet & Martine Rebetez
| Résumé |
We quantified the impacts of hot summer air temperatures on tourism
in the Swiss Alps by analysing the relationship between temperature
and overnight stays in 40 Alpine resorts. Several temperature
thresholds were tested to detect the relationship between them and
summer tourism. Our results reveal significant correlations between
the number of nights spent in mountain resorts and hot temperatures
at lower elevations. The relationship between hot temperatures and
overnight stays is more important in June and to a lesser extent in
August than in July. This is probably because holidays and the peak
of domestic tourist demand in summer usually take place between the
beginning of July and mid-August so that long-term planned stays
dominate more during these months compared to June. The alpine
resorts nearest to cities are most affected by hot temperatures.
This is probably because reactions to hot episodes take place on a
short-term basis as heat waves remain relatively rare. Our results
suggest that alpine tourist resorts could benefit from hotter
temperatures at lower elevations under future climates. Tourists
already react on a short-term basis to hot days and spend more
nights in hotels in mountain resorts. If heat waves become more
regular, it seems likely that tourists will choose to stay at
alpine resorts more frequently and for longer periods. |
| Citation | Serquet, G., & Rebetez, M. (2011). Relationship between tourism demand in the Swiss Alps and hot summer air temperatures associated with climate change. Climatic Change, 108(1-2), 291-300. |
| Type | Article de périodique (Anglais) |
| Date de publication | 2011 |
| Nom du périodique | Climatic Change |
| Volume | 108 |
| Numéro | 1-2 |
| Pages | 291-300 |