Global Survey on Climate Adaptation in Tourism
How prepared are tourism destinations for accelerating climate change impacts? A global survey explores risk perception, institutional responses and the gap between ambition and implementation action
© mascontour
Climate change is no longer a distant scenario for the sector – it is already shaping tourism destinations and destination management worldwide. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events and increasing environmental pressures require not only awareness, but a systematic shift in how destinations plan and manage tourism to build long-term resilience.
To better understand how destinations are addressing this challenge, the international consultancy mascontour and ITB Berlin conducted a global survey among tourism stakeholders. Participants included representatives of destination management organisations, public authorities, tourism businesses, NGOs and research institutions from 60 countries.
Even though tourism is highly sensitive to climatic change – as its core assets such as natural resources, weather-dependent attractions and infrastructure are directly exposed to climate impacts – the results reveal a clear adaptation gap. While a strong majority expect significant impacts within the coming years, far fewer destinations have already implemented adaptation strategies.
In international policy and research debates, adaptation is widely regarded as essential for reducing risks and safeguarding the long-term viability of tourism. However, the survey indicates that translating this recognition into coordinated and institutionalised action remains a challenge.
According to the survey results, operational measures such as early warning systems and crisis planning are comparatively more advanced, while structural foundations – particularly governance frameworks and long-term financing mechanisms – remain less developed.
The findings highlight a central question for the tourism sector: How can risk awareness be translated into effective and coordinated action or management solutions? How can we move from risk to resilience?
The results will be presented and discussed at ITB Berlin Convention 2026:
The Climate Adaptation Gap in Tourism: From Risk to Resilience
Thursday, 5 March 2026
11:00 – 12:00 h
Orange Stage, Hall 7.1a
A collaboration between mascontour and ITB Berlin