Tourism & Hospitality Geography

Climate & Tourism

Objectives

Understand the climatic elements and explain how these affect the various types of recreational tourism.
Be able to describe the distribution of world climates and their significance for tourism. Understand the world climate zones and tourism.

What is the weather to us? How can the climate affect our plans and activities? Even with air-conditioning, climate control, most of the tourist experience happens outdoors Most of the recreation we participate in is weather dependent.

We and the Weather

Climate usually determines the duration of the holiday season. We also need to cope with seasonal demands

This creates the problem of seasonality, both in profitability and employment But this climate-tourism relationship is changing.

Services Products

LATITUDE
Easily understood as distance from the equator Another factor which influences the climate is the axis of rotation This gives us our summer and winter months, shorter days and longer nights. Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn

Tropic of Cancer Egypt Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Oman capital city Muscat India Bangladesh

Tropics of Capricorn Brazil Australia Madagascar South Africa

Climatic Elements & Tourism

Temperature Sunshine

Air Quality

Climatic Elements
Wind Precipitatio n

Temperature

The climate element which has greatest influence on tourist activity & the type of clothing worn.
Suitability of the activities to the weather at a particular place.

For example, water sports are essentially warm weather activities.

Air and humidity effect the weather.

Sunshine

The effect of sunshine is particularly important at the seaside.

The safe length of exposure to the sun will depend on the holiday-makers skin type and the strength of suntan preparations. Skiers and mountain climbers at high altitudes risk sunburn since the air is clear and sunlight reflected from snow and bare rock.

The growing incidence of skin cancer was worrying health authorities, and sunbathing will loose its popularity.

Wind

Influenced in their direction and strength by the gradient between high and low pressure areas, by the Earths rotation, and topography.
A knowledge of the winds is essential for the sailors. The effects of winds;

Sea breezes, more comfortable temperature Frostbite, strong wind and low temperature

The wind-chill factor, the major constraint on outdoor recreations

Precipitation

Various forms of precipitation; rain, hail (water ice/stones), sleet (mix of snow and rain/frozen rain) and snow. Can be seen as the constraint for activities, but depends on its intensity, duration, and seasonal distribution. (wet and dry seasons) Snow can be an expensive hazard for transport, or as a valuable recreational resource.

It contributes to winter sports activities, which benefits to remote mountain communities, but also led to environmental degradation.

Air Quality

The monitoring of air quality is increasingly crucial.

Environmental issues & pollutions;

Emission of sulphur dioxide from smock-stack industries. Smog, or severe air pollution are particularly common in regions, which inhibit air movement. The unpleasant cocktail of gases poisons the air, reducing the visibility, blighting vegetation, eroding historical monuments and threatening the health of people. Acid rain have degraded forests and lakes.

Air Quality
Could effect outdoor activities Seen as an unhealthy threat Reduces visibility

Motor vehicles, transportation running on fossil fuel.

World Climate Zones

Tropical Climates The humid climates that have no winter season. Located near the equator Temperature (humidity/warmth) are high and rainfall is heavy Can be divided into two groups; Tropical Rainforest Tropical Savanna Closest to the equator. Distinct dry season. Has rainfall all year. Ex: Caribbean, Ex: Hawaii, Mexico, Africa
Miami, Florida

World Climate Zones

Dry Climates Consists of the deserted areas Deserts, areas that are very dry, with less than then inches of rain per year. Steppe are semi-arid climates (low amount of rainfall), receiving from eight to sixteen inches of rain per year. Steppe has greater amount of vegetation (green surface) than the true desert. Saharan atlas.

World Climate Zones

Mesothermal Humid Climates Occupy the middle latitudes. Found of the margins of continents in the middle latitudes. The temperatures are either warmer because of the latitude, or moderated by the water and winds on the west coasts of continents. Can be divided into 3 groups;

Mediterranean Marine West Coast Humid subtropical

World Climate Zones

The Mediterranean Hot temperatures reaching in the summer, dropping during mild winters. by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters Ideal summer tourist destination Southern California & Southern Europe, all Mediterranean sea areas.

World Climate Zones

The Marine West Coast climate Has relatively moderate temperatures all year. No dry season, quite humid all year. Examples: London, England; Paris, France; Seattle, Washington

World Climate Zones

The Humid Subtropical Climate Has hot summer and chilly mild winters It receives between 25 to 50 inches of rain yearly, and is humid, which affects the comfort level for people. The fall is the best time to visit places with such climates. Ex: American South Atlanta, Charleston, Orlando, Florida Cities.

World Climate Zones

Microthermal Humid Climates (little heat with more snowy winters)

Also in the middle latitudes Have cooler winters than the mesothermal humid climates Also known as Humid Continental Climates Cold, snowy winters, alternate with warm, humid summer conditions Ex: Chicago, Moscow, and Beijing Spring and fall are ideal times to visit places in these climates. Vegetation characterized by mid-latitude forests. Autumn colors in New England typify the beauty of places.

World Climate Zones

Polar climates Include subarctic, tundra, and icecap climates. Tourism is associated with hunting, fishing, camping, and naturalist-related activities like animal geography. The Arctic and Antarctica Tourism is limited and restricted to a very short season.

Conclusion

Climate is one of the key factors influencing tourism development and holiday travel.
Factors of climate strongly influence particular types of recreational activity. Climate is subject to change, and so that the tour operators and tourism generally will have to adapt.