Key Points for Policy and Decision Makers, and Tourism Operators

• Two case studies – small island states and Alpine Europe – take a geographic approach, whereas the two other case studies – insurance sector and international aviation – provide a sectoral perspective.

• The four case studies illustrate the complex relationships between the tourism and climate systems and highlight the need for policy interventions and implementation of adaptation and mitigation strategies in an integrated way at various levels.

• Climate change is highly relevant to those destinations that have been identified as ‘climate–tourism hotspots’; impacts are already affecting tourism activity and economic benefits.

• The two geographic case studies highlight the importance of integrating climate change adaptation and mitigation into wider sustainable development strategies. Increasing air conditioning as a response to hotter temperatures is an example of an unsustainable adaptation measure, whereas the conservation of water (when facing a drier climate) is likely to reduce the carbon footprint as an ancillary benefit.

• Insurance cover against climate change impacts is increasingly important for vulnerable destinations; insurances need to be readjusted to take climate risks into account. This can make them potentially unaffordable or unavailable for certain businesses in high-risk locations.

• The insurance case study illustrates how climate change is increasingly becoming a business consideration; economic viability depends on minimising risks for the business, destination and the tourist, including those related to climate change.

• Climate change also impacts on vulnerable destinations and sectors through climate change policies that affect the current competitiveness and relative costs of energy. International aviation is a prime example of how policies can be potentially far-reaching and raise questions of equity and sustainable (economic) development.