(Finance) – “The climate change is having a significant impactor on some important topics, such as the safety, health and lifestyle of people living in the Mediterranean and especially Italy. This also impacts on tourist flows and agri-food production, who are undergoing gods notable changes“. This is what he says Nicoletta Polliotto, Project manager Muse Comunicazione, in an interview released to Finance on the sidelines of the TTG in Rimini.
“We saw that this great Droughtfollowed by heavy rains and even floods – he continues – he is really having a impact on Made in Italy.”.
“For what concern tourist flow – explains Polliotto – one of the factors that influence tourists’ choices isto climate security: the guarantee of a stable climate, without intense rains or sudden heat waves. Unfortunately, in Italy we have already experienced extreme climate events, for example, for the first time we reached temperatures of 48 degrees in Sardinia and freezing temperatures at 5,328 meters above sea level, record numbers. Our glaciers are melting and the Winter tourism is on its kneesunless they are adopted sustainable practices to try to limit these effects.”
“It is therefore necessary analyze and process data, in order to understand trends months in advance of research and tourist behaviour. For example, we know that Germans plan their holidays well in advance, even a year before or during the months of January and February. We must therefore act both in defining the offer and the alternatives. In case of great heat, we must find solutions; in case of heavy rainfall, create attractive experiences that balance the offer. We must not only manage the emergency, but predict and create a flexible offer suited to new needs.”
“When there is a great crisis, an emergency, there is a need activate specific practices or services“, says Polliotto, explaining that there may be areas that benefit from climate change. “To give an example – he underlines – the data from Assoturismo ConFesercenti reveal that during the 2022 summer season there was aa 5.7% decrease in Italian tourists, who have headed towards cooler destinations from a climatic point of view or cheaper, to compensate for the decline in purchasing power and the serious economic crisis underway. At the same time, however, there was a 3.6% increase in foreign tourists heading to the major art cities. This shows that some places may be disadvantaged due to climate, while others may benefit from an economic point of view.”
“We must therefore start from the assumption that we will find ourselves facing a difficult period, with sudden and difficult to predict changes. The only possible solution is thereforeaccurate analysis of data and flowsmonitor online searches, carry out brand monitoring and accurate social listening on social media, in order to predict and implement compensatory strategies”.