Assessment of tourism and recreation destinations under climate change conditions in Austria

• Published in: Meteorologische Zeitschrift (Berlin, Germany : 1992) Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 157 - 165
• Main Authors: Andreas Matzarakis, Martin Hämmerle, Christina Endler, Stefan Muthers, Elisabeth Koch
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Borntraeger 01-04-2012
• ISSN: 0941-2948
• DOI: 10.1127/0941-2948/2012/0342

Tourism and recreation are important economic factors which are directly connected to weather and climate of a specific destination. Based on the observation network of the Central Institute of Meteorology and Geodynamics of Austria (ZAMG), data of 37 stations has been collected and analysed for tourism and recreation purposes. The analysis was based on long term data sets which were processed in relevant ways for tourism and recreation, resulting in frequency diagrams of Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and precipitation. Additionally, we prepared the results according to the demands of tourism and recreation authorities and industry using the Climate-Tourism/Transfer-Information-Scheme (CTIS). Applying data from the regional climate models REMO and CLM we can provide information on future climate conditions in Austria's recreation areas. We chose two different time slices (2021-2050, 2071-2100) and IPCC emission scenarios (A1B, B1). The data was processed based on the threshold factors which are included in the CTIS (e.g. thermal comfort, heat stress, cold stress, sunshine, etc.). For the time slice 2021-2050 only moderate changes can be expected. But for 2071-2100 one can observe a distinct decrease of cold stress and the skiing potential. On the other hand, moderate increases of thermal comfort, heat stress, sultriness and sunshine are expected. No tendencies can be seen in precipitation and wind conditions.