Climate Change and the Tourism Sector: Impacts and Adaptations at Visitor Attractions. Technical Report: Quantitative Research

Abstract

Executive Summary This report presents the method used in quantitative research on the relationship between visitation and weather/climatic at heritage properties now and in the future (to 2080). Funded by the UK Climate Resilience programme, the project originally had six objectives, to: 1. Identify the main climate risks and opportunities associated with visits to attractions (i.e. properties) on the coast, in the countryside and at historic sites; 2. Examine the relationship between current weather/climate and visitation at individual attractions (i.e. properties) as a baseline; 3. Investigate whether the relationship varies by different types of attraction, their contexts and attributes; 4. Using UKCP18 data, examine how visitation may change under different climate scenarios and assumptions; 5. Establish the nature, extent and pattern of vulnerability and exposure at attractions, and what adaptation responses may be required at the most exposed; and 6. Understand the challenges presented for individual attractions in responding to changing visitor decision-making and possible impacts on visitor infrastructure. This report pertains to objectives 2-5, and should be read beside the main report. It outlines the method and the nature and quality of the source data used in the empirical research as well as to offer learnings to organisations interested in conducting similar research. [...]