The age of non-tourism

How climate change and rising costs could end mass holidays as we know them

Rising heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather are making traditional summer holidays harder, riskier, and more expensive. Researchers warn that mass tourism may be entering decline as environmental and economic pressures mount, forcing travelers and the industry to rethink the future of leisure travel.

Key takeaways

• Climate-driven disruption: Popular holiday regions face growing threats from heat, fires, floods, and droughts, making travel less enjoyable and more hazardous.
• Mounting travel costs: Insurance, food, and carbon reduction measures could significantly raise the cost of flying and vacationing abroad.
• Industry optimism vs. warnings: While tourism executives remain upbeat, experts like Stefan Gössling argue that we are entering “the age of non-tourism.”
• Flight challenges: Aviation remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize, and greener planes or carbon removal will likely mean higher ticket prices.
• Shift to domestic travel: Rising costs and climate impacts may encourage more travelers to embrace local, cheaper, and less carbon-intensive holidays.

Get the full story at The Guardian