From vacations to coolcations

Scenic Norwegian fjords

European holidaymakers worn down by recurrent heatwaves are currently snubbing Mediterranean destinations for northern climates in hopes of cooler temperature, but it remains to be seen whether this is just a fad or a durable shift in the tourism market.  The concept of ‘coolcations’ has been gathering pace in recent years, but it had literally exploded this year. For example, searches for rooms in the Danish capital Copenhagen have jumped by 246% since May. Those for Dublin, Ireland have risen by 151%. Oslo has seen booking growth of 154%, and Helsinki of 124%. The reason for this shift in vacation plans for tourists is because at higher altitudes, there is a clear drop in temperatures in the evening and during the night, which encourages and results in much better sleeping conditions. But we wonder  if this current enthusiasm can actually change the geography of international tourism. Yet climate is only one aspect that influences travel decisions. Security, nature, the cultural and artistic presence of museums, accessibility, air connections and exchange rates are also other factors.