Global Warming Reshapes Western European Tourism

June 2026 was Western Europe’s hottest on record, with average temperatures 3.06°C above the 1991–2020 norm, while Europe remains the world’s fastest-warming continent. Tourism is increasingly exposed through heat stress, wildfires, drought, water shortages and transport disruption. Traditional midday sightseeing may become less attractive during peak summer, encouraging demand for spring, autumn and cooler northern destinations. Hotels face higher cooling and insurance costs, while operators need flexible routes and emergency protocols. The shift could extend shoulder seasons but weaken established July–August business patterns. Climate resilience is therefore becoming a core product, investment and destination-management requirement for long-term European tourism competitiveness.