Climate Protection Is A Game Changer In Tourism, Special Austrian Report Outlines Fields Of Action

The objective is clear: Austria will become climate neutral by 2040. The tourism sector, as one of the largest domestic economic sectors, is of particular importance. On the one hand, tourism destinations and offers are strongly affected by the effects of climate change; on the other hand, the sector has great potential in terms of climate protection, for example in the area of ​​mobility. This is the conclusion of the current special report “Climate Protection and Tourism”, which was created by 39 cross-disciplinary scientists on behalf of the Climate and Energy Fund. In a current survey by Karmasin Research, tourists, tourism companies and associations confirm that there is a great opportunity through climate-friendly tourism in Austria.

Special Report: Climate change affects winter / summer tourism, mobility as the greatest leverage

The climate crisis poses major challenges for the Austrian tourism sector. For the winter, simulations show a decline in Austria-wide demand in ski areas from -2.2% to -6.7% as well as a large spatial shift by 2050: While demand on the edge of the Alps could collapse by up to 50%, in contrast there is an increase of + 50% possible in western Tyrol and in parts of Carinthia. According to the authors, the effects of climate change are also clearly noticeable for summer tourism. Above all, the health burden will increase through longer periods of heat. In addition, outdoor activities such as climbing (increased rockfall) or water sports (low water levels) will be severely impaired.

In order to be able to implement measures as effectively as possible, the authors advocate specific legal framework conditions and a harmonization of climate protection measures, options for action and adaptation strategies at national, regional and company level.

In particular, the report highlights the potential in the area of ​​mobility. In order to reduce the climate impact of tourism, there is a need to improve public transport: both for arrival and departure and for on-site mobility in the tourist locations and regions, for example through needs-based mobility solutions.

Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler: “Austrian tourism is also facing a major challenge in the fight against the climate crisis. The increasing heat changes the framework conditions - whether skiing or city tourism. Many businesses and companies are responding to this challenge right now and are taking advantage of a great opportunity. Because travelers also want more sustainability. In this way, Austrian tourism can combine success and climate protection. "Climate and Energy Fund Managing Director Ingmar Höbarth:" I am convinced that climate-friendly Austrian tourism will create competitive advantages for the future and an international USP that will drive up regional added value. To put it in the words of the experts in the Special Report: Let's turn the 'Paris lifestyle', i.e. a lifestyle that helps to meet the climate targets agreed in Paris, into the 'Austrian lifestyle' together. A lifestyle that conveys exactly what our country is all about: the highest quality of life with the greatest possible respect for nature, the environment and future generations. Let us leverage existing synergies and use the opportunities. "

Survey: climate protection as an opportunity, but not yet a decision criterion

For a current survey, the Climate and Energy Fund commissioned the opinion research institute Karmasin Research & Identity and asked vacationers (from Austria and Germany, as the largest tourist group), tourism companies and associations about their attitudes towards climate protection in tourism.

Central is the realization that for at least 70% of Austrian and German tourists, climate protection is currently a (very) important topic in tourism. The approval rates are even higher for companies (89%) and associations (100%). Most of the groups mentioned also rate climate-friendly tourism as a great opportunity for Austria as a holiday destination: 71% of Austrian and 65% of German tourists, as well as 53% of companies and 96% of associations agree with this statement.

However, the survey also shows that climate protection is hardly an actual decision-making principle among tourists. Only 15% (Austria) to 20% (Germany) state that they have already made a vacation decision with climate protection in mind. The main barriers mentioned are a lack of selection criteria for climate friendliness in online search engines (Austria 39% / Germany 24%) as well as too little communication on this topic (Austria 39% / Germany 32%) and too little offer (Austria 36% / Germany 36%) .

Opinion researcher Sophie Karmasin: “The survey shows a lack of information among tourists with regard to climate protection in tourism. In addition to increased offerings, they would like more information, transparent communication and, for example, awards for particularly environmentally friendly tourism regions and businesses. On the other hand, companies and associations believe that climate-friendly offers should be more popular with guests. This requires in-depth coordination between the actors. "

Climate and energy model regions: mobility focus and international sustainability seal

The targeted coordination of all actors is one of the core principles of the Climate and Energy Model Regions (KEM), which are supported and accompanied by targeted funding from the Climate and Energy Fund in the implementation of their climate protection measures on the way to a fossil-free future.

There is currently great success to report from the KEM Nassfeld-Pressegger See / Weissensee / Lesachtal: As the first region in Austria to have successfully completed an international certification process according to the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and will soon be able to bear the corresponding sustainability seal. And the model region Zell am See - Kaprun is on the way to international best practice thanks to extensive measures in the area of ​​mobility.

Both of the above-mentioned KEMs of the Climate and Energy Fund are priority regions for sustainable tourism and stand out from other regions due to their ambitions and extensive measures. They thus serve as national and international inspiration for imitators. You can find more information on the climate and energy model regions at https://www.klimaundenergiemodellregionen.at /.

About the APCC Special Report "Tourism and Climate Change"

The special report "Tourism and Climate Change" was commissioned by the Climate and Energy Fund and made possible by funding from the Climate Protection Ministry. It is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary survey of the current state of research on the complex relationships between tourism, events and climate change. For this report, 39 scientists from leading research institutions, supported by an international team of reviewers, worked together intensively for more than two years.

The Austrian Panel on Climate Change (APCC) was founded on the initiative of the Climate and Energy Fund and brings together renowned experts from the Austrian climate research community who regularly collate the current status of research on climate change in Austria.

Detailed information about the report and the complete works, a summary for decision makers * inside and a technical summary are under https://sr19.ccca.ac.at/ or https://sr19.ccca.ac.at/downloads/ available .