An Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on Tourism Destination. Policies and Strategies for the Mediterranean

We are assisting in rapidly intensifying the impact of Climate Change (CC) globally on tourism destinations due to a pervasive anthropogenic change on a planetary scale of abiotic nature. The Mediterranean is an interesting area of interest since it is a Climate hotspot. Indeed, the Mediterranean will be particularly affected by Climate Change, primarily by the increase in temperature, secondly of other consequences in terms of environmental impact, such as: (a) Lack of water, (b) Rising of the sea level, (c) Water tropicalization and acidification, (d) Extreme events, (e) Forest fires. Due to the geographical location and morphology, the Mediterranean area is experiencing a higher risk of Global Warming and Climate Change than other European regions. The visible consequences of the Environmental crisis on Travelling causing us to reflect on our consumption-driven lifestyle (Rantala et al. in Annals of Tourism Research, 105, Article 103733, 2024). This work, through a literature review, aims to analyze the impact of Climate Change on tourism to better reflect on tourism in the Anthropocene and contribute to a rethink and radically co-transform tourism. Our approach will investigate the bidirectional relationship in the Mediterranean. In the context, it is appropriate to quote the paradox of Sustainable Development and tourism since this always requires the exploitation of natural resources as the cultural identity. Moreover, the intensification of extreme events as other phenomena brings us to reinterpret Tourism in the light of the Anthropocene (Crutzen & Stoermer in The Anthropocene. Yale University Press, pp. 479–490, 2000). Climate Change (CC) is a prominent challenge for tourism (Bizzarri & Petrana in Rivista di Scienze del Turismo-Ambiente Cultura Diritto Economia 8(1–2), 1, 2018). The phenomenon transcends traditional boundaries of policymakers (Becken et al., Journal of Sustainable Tourism 2810, 1–22, 2020). This issue requires approaches that go beyond conventional institutional responsibilities by implementing cross-sectoral policies both for mitigation and adaptation to favor Sustainable Tourism. This work aims to raise awareness of this prominent issue that is already affecting the Mediterranean. The paper also aims to identify the impact of Climate Change on tourism and provide solutions for public governance in ensuring the sustainability of Tourism, both for residents and tourists. The contribution is structured through the following research questions: (i) How do Climate change, Anthropocene, and tourism affect each other? (ii) How does Tourism impact Climate Change? (iii) Which are the main factors of CC that impact on Tourism Destination? (iv) Which solutions have been identified to face climate change in the Mediterranean area? The main finding of this research shows that policymakers are currently underestimating this relationship. There are no serious strategies or policies taken. Moreover, tourism can play a crucial role in driving the Ecological transition, considering the pivotal economy of tourism at the global level, including the transportation system.