Public Health Advisor Highlights Risks for Visitors Unaccustomed to Higher Temperatures
The intensifying climate crisis poses a significant threat to Spain's traditional mass tourism model, especially as rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves impact the country's prime coastal destinations, a top public health official has cautioned.
Héctor Tejero, head of health and climate change at Spain's health ministry, emphasized that the visible effects of climate change have already prompted discussions with the British embassy on how to better educate "vulnerable" tourists on managing the heat.
When asked about the potential long-term impacts on tourism in Spain, Tejero stated, "There's a genuine risk that major tourist hotspots—particularly along the Mediterranean coast in the south and east—will become less habitable due to more frequent heatwaves and significantly hotter nights." He added that these conditions could either deter tourists or substantially increase air-conditioning costs for hotels.
Tejero further remarked, "Tourism is one of many sectors at risk from climate change. It needs to adapt to the upcoming climatic challenges, possibly by downsizing and mitigating climate impacts before they worsen. Spain is the EU country most vulnerable to climate change, and this situation won't change soon."
The surge in tourist numbers, with Spain welcoming a record 85.1 million international visitors last year, has sparked large-scale protests across the country. Demonstrators in the Canary Islands have highlighted water shortages exacerbated by tourism, while activists in the Balearic Islands have called for a cap on the number of cars arriving by ferry.
A Spanish government report from eight years ago predicted that climate change could drastically reshape Spain's tourism industry. The report warned of eroding beaches, flooded transport systems, and water shortages during peak season, and even forecasted a potential 20% decline in northern European tourists by 2080 as warmer temperatures lead them to vacation closer to home.
Tejero underscored that heatwaves and elevated temperatures are the most immediate and dangerous aspects of the climate crisis for tourists unaccustomed to such conditions. He mentioned ongoing discussions with the British embassy to raise tourists' awareness about the climate crisis and to provide advice on heat protection.
"Tourists face a higher risk in the heat since they are not adapted to local temperatures," Tejero explained. "They need to be more cautious and follow guidelines, like avoiding the sun from midday to 4 pm, to stay safe."
He highlighted that tourists should adhere to the government's heat safety advice: "protect yourself; hydrate yourself; refresh yourself." Tejero also noted that last year, heatstroke fatalities in Spain involved tourists over 50 who undertook strenuous activities in the summer heat without adequate precautions.
Recent incidents in southern Europe underscore these risks. In June, several foreign tourists, including British TV presenter Michael Mosley, died in Greece during an unexpected heatwave. Epidemiological studies in Spain indicate that around 3,000 deaths annually are attributable to heat, with hot spells causing a 10% increase in urgent hospital admissions. Additionally, rising temperatures are expected to increase the prevalence of vector-borne diseases, as evidenced by a recent case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Madrid.