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Escape the Heat: Coolcations Steal the Spotlight in European Travel

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20 August 2025

Escape the Heat: Coolcations Steal the Spotlight in European Travel

Adventure tourism

Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

Cultural tourism

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Facing soaring temperatures and devastating wildfires, vacationers are opting for cooler, quieter alternatives to traditional summer hotspots in Europe. This shift is driving significant changes in tourism trends and industry efforts across the continent.

Publishing org

Travel And Tour World

Related Organisation(s)

Travel And Tour World

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Geographical descriptors

Albania

Armenia

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czechia

Denmark

Estonia

EU-27

Finland

France

Georgia

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Kosovo

Latvia

Liechtenstein

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Moldova

Montenegro

Netherlands

North Macedonia

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Türkiye

Ukraine

Other

Organisation Type

Destination Management & Marketing Organisations

  • Specific types of tourism

    • Adventure tourism

    • Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism

    • Cultural tourism

    • Ecotourism

    • Education tourism

    • Festival tourism

    • Gastronomy tourism

    • Health and medical tourism

    • MICE tourism

    • Mountain tourism

    • Religious tourism

    • Rural tourism

    • Sports tourism

    • Urban/city tourism

    • Wellness tourism

  • Transition Pathway Strategic Areas

    • Changes in tourism demand and opportunities

    • Governance of tourism destinations

  • Business activities

    • Activities of amusement parks and theme parks

    • Activities of associations and other organisations supporting tourism

    • Air passenger transport

    • Camping grounds, recreational vehicle parks and trailer parks

    • Events catering and other food services

    • Festivals, cultural and entertainment activities

    • Gardens and nature reserves activities

    • Holiday Housing / Apartments and other short stay accommodation

    • Hotel and similar accommodation

    • Mobile beverage services

    • Mobile food services

    • Museums

    • Operation of historical sites

    • Other

    • Other accommodation

    • Other amusement and recreation activities

    • Other food and beverage services

    • Other holiday reservation services

    • Other tourism transportation activities

    • Rail Passenger transport

    • Recreational and sport activities

    • Restaurants, cafes and bars (Food and Beverage serving activities)

    • Road passenger transport

    • Tour operator activities

    • Travel agency activities

    • Water (sea, coastal and inland) passenger transport

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As record-breaking heatwaves and rampant wildfires disrupt popular tourist regions in southern Europe, vacationers are turning their attention to cooler locales. The rise of "coolcations" has seen tourists choosing destinations like mountain lakes and coastal regions during milder months, enhancing their experiences with fresh climate and fewer crowds. Countries such as Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are seeing a surge in visitors, presenting authentic and enriching experiences. Meanwhile, nations like Spain, Portugal, and Greece are adapting to the climate challenges by modifying their tourism offerings and infrastructure. This change underscores the importance of sustainable travel practices in response to climate crises.

For a deeper exploration of how tourism is transforming, read the full article by clicking the link on the left-hand side.

#Sustainable tourism #Climate-friendly tourism practices #Alternative tourism #Adaptation strategies #Sustainable destinations #Trends

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Categories
Coastal, maritime and inland water tourism Cultural tourism Ecotourism +40 more