Tourism has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, but climate pressures and rising costs are raising doubts over the future of the traditional holiday abroad. Some experts warn that the industry may already be entering what they call the “age of non-tourism”.
Climate extremes disrupt travel
Rising global temperatures have left a deep mark on popular holiday destinations. Heatwaves across southern Europe are pushing summer temperatures to record highs, forcing hotels to ration water and leaving tourists reconsidering trips. In Greece, wildfires have devastated several islands, while Alpine resorts are losing snow cover and coastal erosion is reshaping beaches.
The changes are more than environmental. They create growing uncertainty for travellers who once expected predictability from their holidays. For tourism providers, the challenge lies in managing an industry heavily reliant on stable seasons and safe conditions.
Costs climb for travellers
Financial pressures are compounding the climate crisis. Airfares remain high, with new carbon levies adding to costs, while food and fuel inflation has driven up prices across resorts. Travel insurance premiums are rising sharply in response to fire and flood risks. For many families, the total cost of an overseas trip has begun to outweigh the appeal.
Researchers argue that incremental measures such as green taxes or airline offsets are not enough, describing them as insufficient to tackle emissions from mass travel. Without deeper cuts in carbon use, they warn, the viability of the global tourism model will remain under strain.
Tourists change habits
Some travellers are already adapting. Bookings for autumn and winter holidays are increasing, with October now rivaling August as a preferred month for European breaks. Northern destinations such as Scotland, Scandinavia and the Baltics are reporting surging demand as so-called “coolcations” replace heat-stricken Mediterranean trips.
Australian and British holidaymakers are leading the shift to shoulder-season travel, avoiding peak summer crowds in favour of more comfortable climates. Industry figures suggest that, while tourism numbers remain high, where and when people travel is changing fast.
The future of the holiday
For researchers like Stefan Gössling, these shifts may mark the start of a long-term transformation. He argues that what once defined the modern holiday—sun, sea, and affordable airfares—is under threat from conditions beyond the control of tour operators. Whether this results in a collapse of mass tourism or simply its reinvention remains uncertain.
For now, the question facing the industry is whether adaptation will be enough, or if the era of easy foreign holidays is slowly coming to an end.
REFH – Newshub, 24 August 2025
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