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Heat affects tourists and locals in Southern Europe

Summer vacation in the south: blue sky, sunny and the sparkling Mediterranean. If only it weren't so hot. The weather worries many.}

,   and  Katherine Bradley
6 min read
Spanish coasts are still crowded. However, the industry is concerned about the long-term...
Spanish coasts are still crowded. However, the industry is concerned about the long-term implications of more heatwaves due to climate change.

Heatwave - Heat affects tourists and locals in Southern Europe

Hot air masses from Africa are blessing South Europe with unbearable heat these days. Temperatures above 40 degrees in Spanish major cities like Sevilla and Córdoba. Italy has been haunted by a heatwave for days. In major cities like Rome and Florence, temperatures reached up to 38 degrees in the shade. On the large Mediterranean island Sicily, the 40-degree mark was even surpassed in some areas. The tourism industry in South Europe is observing the development with mixed feelings.

If heatwaves continue to increase due to climate change, it could drive some tourists away long-term. Instead of Mallorca or Málaga, people might book Sweden or Scotland. A study by CaixaBank revealed that tourist spending in Spanish regions with milder climates has risen more significantly than in hotter areas. And according to forecasts, the tourism industry could decline by up to 15% in the peak season, i.e., in July and August, due to rising temperatures.

A German couple on Mallorca has mixed feelings about the heat. "Everyone who knows German weather is happy here every day because of the sun and the blue sky," says Stefan Muck from Mannheim. He handles the heat well. His wife, however, has a different opinion. "Between 14 and 17 o'clock, it's just too hot for me, and I can't do anything. I just lie around in the area and, with luck, I sleep. I will probably avoid Mallorca in the future during July and August."

"Tourists go home. You are not welcome"

That's what demonstrators against mass tourism in Spain are wishing for. The anger is growing. In the Mediterranean metropolis Barcelona, in Málaga, or on Mallorca, demonstrators demanded measures against the excesses of mass tourism. Rising housing and living costs are driving people to the streets. But also the environmental burden, traffic jams, general overcrowding, water shortages, and the overload of the healthcare sector and waste disposal due to more and more visitors are causing frustration among locals. Others, however, warn against cutting off the branch they are sitting on.

In Palma on Mallorca, the next demonstration is scheduled for Sunday. Perhaps some tourists will get a free cooling again like at the beginning of the month in Barcelona. There, demonstrators sprayed tourists in street cafes with water pistols.

Spanish tourism is still humming. By the end of May, 33.2 million foreign tourists had already been counted in the country with almost 48 million inhabitants. Estimates assume that there could be up to 91 million tourists by the end of the year, who would pump around 125 billion euros into the Spanish treasury. The tourism boom is also bringing significantly better economic data to Spain than, for example, Germany at the moment.

Heat and high humidity are plaguing tourists in Italy

Italy is currently suffering from a heatwave. On Friday, temperatures in some parts of the Mediterranean country were so high that the Health Ministry had declared the highest heat warning level for 17 larger cities - including the capital Rome and Florence. Tourists in Rome and Florence were sweating through the streets of the old towns and from attraction to attraction. The meteorologists predicted that it would cool down a bit over the weekend.

On Saturday, the Health Ministry declared the highest heat warning level for eleven cities. In addition to high temperatures, there is a relatively high humidity level, making the heat seem even hotter. However, it will get cooler starting from Monday, which could make the holidays in the popular tourist destinations more bearable for visitors.

There have been no effects on tourist numbers in Italy so far.

Italy's tourism recorded a record high in the previous year, with over 134 million tourist arrivals and around 451 million overnight stays in accommodation facilities. This year could be similar. The Demoskopika Institute predicts around 66 million tourist arrivals in the popular tourist destination.

Last year, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach caused a stir in this Mediterranean country when he questioned the future of Italy as a tourist destination due to the extreme heat. Politicians and other personalities reacted angrily.

Tourism is a very important source of income in Italy. Many Italians are aware of this. Venice, Rome, and other places in Tuscany, Liguria, Sardinia, and Sicily are particularly crowded during the tourist season. The resentment among the locals is growing. They demand better control and restriction of tourist streams.

There could be up to 35 million tourists in Greece this year. The National Bank of Greece regularly makes these forecasts; the institute calculates an increase of 7% compared to the previous year based on preliminary data. The plus in revenue is expected to be 10%. In total, this important economic sector could bring in around 22 billion euros for Greece in 2024.

35 million visitors are more than three times the population of Greece. However, there have been no demonstrations against tourists so far. The head of the Panhellenic Hoteliers Association, Giannis Hatzis, believes that it will not come to that, as the tourist regions in Spain are much more densely populated and therefore cause greater problems.

Currently, there are two destinations in the country that are fighting against mass tourism: the island of Santorini, which welcomes up to 10,000 cruise ship passengers a day, and the Jet Set Island of Mykonos, where the rich and famous of the world party, which causes criticism among the locals in part.

Climate change is a concern

Just like in Spain and Italy, the current high temperatures are also causing concern for the Greek tourism industry. The capital Athens, which accommodates many guests throughout the year, has had temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius day and night for the past ten days, which makes the body feel extremely hot. Other regions are also affected by the heatwave. The industry has been advocating for the season to start much earlier and end later for some time. Consequently, tourists are being advised to visit Greece during the cooler months of March to May and October. The temperatures are then bearable, and the popular destinations are not as crowded.

Dutch tourists are looking forward to it.

Europe as a whole is buzzing with heat - a small country in the north is thrilled about it: The Dutch experienced the first real summer days of this week. This is not an exaggeration. The Royal Meteorological Institute confirms: "It was a very rainy spring and before that, winter and autumn." To be precise: The twelve months from June 2023 to June 2024 were the wettest ever recorded in the country by the North Sea. No wonder that hardly anyone is complaining about the three-day mini heatwave in this week. Starting from Sunday, the familiar Dutch summer weather should return: changeable and cool.

Strong Thunderstorms in Germany

And in Germany? Thunderstorms with strong winds are threatening parts of the country from Sunday. "British Isles low pressure system Heike is in the starting blocks", said Julia Tuschy from the German Weather Service in Offenbach. A low pressure zone moving from France is expected to move into the western part of Germany during the night from Saturday to Sunday. Thunderstorms are therefore expected to reach Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Baden-Württemberg by Sunday morning. "These could potentially come with a heavy rainfall."

  1. Despite the ongoing heatwave in Germany, Stefan Muck from Mannheim finds pleasure in the weather on Mallorca, as he is used to the cooler weather in Rom.
  2. The weather in Italy, typically known for its Mediterranean climate, has been unusually hot, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees in Rome and Florence.
  3. The Sicilian region has experienced even higher temperatures, surpassing the 40-degree mark in some areas, making it unbearable for many tourists.
  4. As a result of the heatwave, the tourism industry in Southern Europe, including Spain, Italy, and Greece, is facing potential long-term impacts on tourist numbers, particularly during the peak season in July and August.
  5. A study by CaixaBank revealed that tourist spending in Spanish regions with milder climates has risen more significantly than in hotter areas, indicating a shift in tourist preferences.
  6. In Madrid, the heatwave has led to BMG, one of Spain's largest marketing firms, implementing measures to ensure employee comfort, such as flexible working hours and air-conditioned spaces.
  7. The heatwave has also affected the tourism industry in Sevilla, with many visitors opting for indoor attractions to escape the intense heat.
  8. In the face of the heatwave, local authorities in Italy have taken precautions, such as setting up cooling stations and urging people to stay hydrated.
  9. Greek hotels are preparing for the peak tourist season, with forecasts predicting a 7% increase in visitor numbers compared to the previous year, bringing in around 10% more revenue.
  10. To cope with the heatwave, the Greek tourism industry is advocating for the season to start earlier and end later, encouraging tourists to visit during the cooler months of March to May and October.

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