Outlook on climate change adaptation

Tourism The Carpathians are a popular tourist destination, due to their cultural heritage and natural beauty. Tourists come predominantly in winter and summer seasons. Spa and health resorts are offered all year long due to the abundance of mineral water sources. In the year 2011, approximately 31 million overnight stays were recorded, generating about 7-12% of the region’s GDP (Werners et al., 2014b). Winter tourism is focused on outdoor winter sports. The significance of winter tourism for the economy has increased in Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine, where more new ski resorts have been built after the breakdown of the communist regimes. Expected higher temperatures in winter are

threatening the snow reliability as well as the potential for artificial snow. In the future, only the skiing areas at higher altitudes or areas in the northern part of the mountains will be able to provide enough snow (Lapin & Fasko, 2005; Micu, 2009). A decrease in snow cover is expected and noticeable at the beginning and the end of the skiing seasons, shortening the winter tourism period. Climate change might both disadvantage and advantage tourism in the area. The mountain areas could benefit if tourists decide to escape the hot lowlands, like the Mediterranean (EC, 2007b). Climate change will result in longer summer tourist seasons. On the other hand, the increase of extreme events might cause flash floods, landslides or forest fires that will disadvantage tourism.

Tatra Mountains tourism

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