The effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident in tourism as well: summer, for example, is starting to become a challenging season for travel and for undertaking a long route. Heat, the risk of wildfires, and extreme weather events can discourage hikers and outdoor activities lovers. And there are significant economic costs: OECD estimates indicate that the most severe extreme weather events reduce regional GDP by 2.2%, with losses of around 1.7% persisting after five years. Extreme weather events are altering the geography and seasonality of global tourism, impacting both the destinations people choose and the timing of their trips.

As part of the Green Deal, the European Union has launched the European Climate Pact to raise public awareness of the consequences of climate change and engage citizens in climate action. The Pact is a movement of people united by a shared mission to build a more sustainable Europe and help the EU—including small and medium-sized enterprises—become climate-neutral by 2050.

How can the world of hiking trails and its stakeholders contribute? European projects, such as Detour, support businesses in implementing measures related to the green transition. Another project, for example, Interreg KlimaAlps, has raised public awareness of climate change in mountain areas by mapping hiking trails that reveal the impacts of climate change. This idea led to the development of another project: training CLIMALP guides. These are young people trained to lead hiking activities, offering both employment opportunities and environmental conservation. The creation of these trails serves to shed light on the effects of climate change, helps the general public and tourism operators understand the damage caused by climate change, and encourages people to take action. Furthermore, the initiative promotes a new form of sustainable outdoor tourism that can be enjoyed even during the off-season.

In fact, these trails offer tourism businesses the opportunity to operate from September through April, with a break during the winter months depending on where the long route is located. But to do this, it’s important for businesses to tailor their offerings to the season, such as: seasonal menus; discounts during off-peak periods; AI-powered travel assistants or tools that provide visitors with personalized recommendations, ranging from local experiences to seasonal highlights; summer night tours and alternative routes in case of inclement weather; luggage transport services; early-morning breakfasts for hikers and cyclists; food and beverage trucks at strategic stops along the trails.

The businesses that won the call for financial support from the Detour project are launching their initiatives in precisely these areas: in the coming months, we’ll share how they’re succeeding.

[Credits: Unsplash.com]