The summer has started with high temperatures in several of Europe’s travel destinations. But heat warnings, fires and closed attractions are unlikely to slow down the desire to travel, according to tourism researcher Stefan Gössling.
People forget quickly.
Tourists collapsed and fires led to evacuations during last year’s scorching summer. This year, the Acropolis closed as a result of a record early heat wave in Greece and several tourists have died since they went hiking around the country.
It is not the only country in southern Europe that experienced high heat unusually early, raising concerns about a repeat of last year’s extreme weather. But despite the fact that villagers and tourists had to sleep in schools and sports halls when there was a fire on Rhodes last year, the island is among the Swedish travel companies’ most popular destinations this summer.
People quickly forget things that are negative. Maybe not if you yourself have found yourself in an extreme situation, then you might think about whether you want to experience something similar again, says Stefan Gössling, professor of tourism science at Linnaeus University.
But for most it is abstract. As a tourist, you can’t really relate to these risks that are everywhere and will only increase.
Tourists sunbathe outside a sports hall where they were evacuated in connection with the fires on the Greek island of Rhodes last year.
Tourists sunbathe outside a sports hall where they were evacuated in connection with the fires on the Greek island of Rhodes last year.
Photo: Lefteris Damianidis/AP/TT
The beach beckons
It does not have to be as hot as in Southern Europe for Swedes to suffer negative health effects, because we are generally less used to high temperatures. But surveys indicate that “surprisingly many” think that the holiday only starts at 40 degrees, according to Gössling.
You don’t necessarily see it as something bad, but think that you can lie on the beach. Extreme conditions first affect those who work in tourism and then tourists.
Forecasts indicate that it will be crowded at Europe’s most popular destination this summer. Many factors come into play when planning a holiday, says Gössling.
So far, the weather does not dominate. Nor will we see a simple switch, from one country to another. Stockholm and Venice are very different cities with different cultures and beach life.
Spanish model
Gössling believes that the first step is increased adaptation to the heat waves that will become more common as a result of climate change.
If it’s 45 degrees, you don’t walk the streets of Rome but stay inside. One has to hope that there is a pool that is cold enough so that it can cool down, he says.
Or you take a dip in the sea, but then the sand can be so hot that you have to be careful not to burn your feet. I think many people will have the Spanish model as a strategy, sleep in the middle of the day and go out in the evening instead.
Tourists in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. The picture was taken in mid-June this year when the temperature was expected to reach over 45 degrees.
Tourists in the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia. The picture was taken in mid-June this year when the temperature was expected to reach over 45 degrees.
Photo: Petros Karadjias/AP/TT
Fact: This is how the body is affected by heat
Superficial blood vessels dilate and we sweat more. If you don’t get enough fluid, the blood becomes more concentrated and the risk of blood clots increases.
If the heart cannot cope with the increased demands on pumping capacity, it can lead to serious heart failure. The fact that older people die as a result of heat is usually due to circulatory disorders.
Headaches and nausea can be signs of heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. In heat stroke, the body temperature is above 40 degrees. Other symptoms may include vomiting, visual disturbances, dizziness, confusion and rapid pulse.
Source: Public Health Agency