How Surging Global Warming Could Seize The International Travel Industry In The Next Decade?

Friday, June 7, 2024

Global warming’s surging threat looms, poised to devastate international tourism within the next decade, reshaping travel.

Global warming boiling heat and escalating heatwaves are having a devastating impact on tourist destinations worldwide, affecting every continent including Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. This rising trend poses a significant challenge to the tourism industry, threatening its sustainability and viability. According to an AccuWeather report, if proactive measures are not taken, the future of travel could be severely compromised, potentially reducing physical travel to a minimal activity. This could lead to a scenario where virtual travel becomes the primary means of experiencing new places, as real-world conditions become increasingly inhospitable for tourists.

As Per AccuWeather’s, a fresh analysis predicts that the rise in global temperatures from 2030 to 2100 might exceed current climate model forecasts significantly. Some terrestrial regions could witness an boiling heat increase in average temperatures ranging from 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit within the next three to four decades, raising alarms particularly in areas like India, where temperatures have surged past 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

USA has led to record-breaking temperatures with boiling heat in several states, particularly affecting areas like Phoenix and Las Vegas. In Phoenix, the National Weather Service reported a new high of 113°F (45°C) last Thursday, eclipsing the previous record of 111°F (44°C) set in 2016, and described the conditions as “dangerously hot.” Similarly, Las Vegas tied its record for the earliest occurrence of temperatures reaching at least 110°F (43.3°C), with a new high of 111°F (43.8°C) on the same day. The heatwave extended to other parts of Arizona, California, and Nevada, where places like Death Valley National Park also set new temperature records. The park recorded a high of 122°F (50°C), surpassing the previous high of 121°F (49.4°C) from 1996. This region, known for its extreme temperatures, sits 194 feet (59 meters) below sea level and has been keeping records since 1911.

Europe is also experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with several countries hitting new temperature highs and boiling heat. Parts of the continent have seen temperatures soaring well beyond 40°C (104°F). For example, Rome reached 34°C on July 27th, Cannes matched this on July 29th, and Malta also hit 34°C on July 27th.

In specific regions of India, temperatures have peaked at 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Escalating beyond 125 degrees Fahrenheit could render these areas uninhabitable for prolonged periods without cooling solutions, posing severe risks. Countries like India, along with parts of Pakistan, Iran, and their neighbors, might face soaring death tolls due to these extreme temperatures.

Meanwhile, Boiling heat across Northern India is currently grappling with one of its most intense heatwaves in memory, where temperatures have consistently risen above normal, often exceeding 45°C (113°F). This severe heat has already resulted in deaths and a spike in heat-related illnesses, severely disrupting both public health and the tourism sector. In May 2024, India recorded one of its worst heatwaves, with temperatures reaching about 1.5 degrees Celsius higher than any previous records.

TTW Editor in Chief Mr. Anup Kumar Keshan said: The need for sustainability in the travel and tourism sector is increasingly critical as the industry booms. With its substantial environmental impact, it is imperative that the industry adopts sustainable practices to ensure its longevity and to mitigate its ecological footprint. As climate change begins to affect travel destinations, from rising sea levels to extreme weather, sustainable practices are crucial for ensuring safe and responsible travel experiences. While initiatives from global companies like Hilton, Marriott, Delta, Indigo, Qatar, Emirates, IHG and more indicate a growing commitment, the entire industry must ramp up its efforts. There is a pressing need to expand sustainable practices, invest in green technologies, and strengthen collaborations. With the rise of environmental challenges, virtual travel may become a significant part of the future of tourism. Despite these efforts, much more needs to be done.

Global Tourism Bodies Promoting Susutainabilty:

WTTC:
The Race to Zero campaign, supported by the UN, unites businesses and governments in the pursuit of a zero-carbon future, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. This effort focuses on both economic growth and climate mitigation, while its sister campaign, Race to Resilience, addresses climate adaptation.

UN Tourism:
Signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism pledge to cut emissions by at least half over the next decade and reach net-zero emissions before 2050, in line with global climate goals.

IATA:
The Fly Net Zero initiative commits the airline industry to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This was formalized at the 77th IATA Annual General Meeting in Boston on October 4, 2021, aligning with the Paris Agreement’s objectives to control global warming.

Airline Sustainability Commitments:

United Airlines:
United is striving for net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, leading the industry in sustainability efforts.

Delta Airlines:
Delta aims to incorporate 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in all flights by 2030, reducing carbon emissions by over 85%.

Qatar Airways:
Committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, Qatar Airways spearheads the first global alliance with this ambitious target. It leads with the Gulfstream G700, the first aircraft capable of operating on 100% SAF.

Emirates:
Emirates aligns with the IATA and ICAO goals to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Etihad Airways:
Etihad has committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming for a 20% reduction in emissions intensity by 2025 and a 50% reduction of 2019 net emissions by 2035.

British Airways:
British Airways plans to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and supports this with an investment in ZeroAvia, a pioneer in low emissions hydrogen-electric powered aircraft for commercial aviation.

Indigo Airlines:
Indigo has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 25% by 2025 and by 55% by 2030 compared to projected levels without intervention.

Sustainability Goals of Major Hotel Chains:

1. Hilton Hotels:
   Hilton is committed to reducing carbon emissions intensity by 75% from managed hotels’ Scope 1 and 2 emissions, using a 2008 baseline, by 2030.
2. Marriott International:
   By the end of 2025, Marriott aims to reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 30% from a 2016 baseline and to source 30% of its electricity from renewable sources.
3. InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG):
   IHG has set a target to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 46% by 2030 from a 2019 baseline. This goal aligns with the 1.5°C pathway of The Paris Agreement and covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions, as well as significant Scope 3 emissions from franchised hotels’ energy use and Fuel and Energy Related Activities (FERA). This target has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

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