Search Results (53)

The ecological environment of Qinghai Lake is fragile and exhibits a pronounced response to climate change. Its unique natural conditions render its tourism activities particularly sensitive to climatic variations. However, existing studies rarely examine the impacts of climate change on tourism activities in climate-sensitive regions of high-altitude inland lakes, such as Qinghai Lake. Therefore, this paper takes Qinghai Lake as a case study to investigate the effects of climate change on tourist perception and tourism demand, thereby providing a scientific basis for decision-making by scenic area managers. The results are as follows: (1) In recent decades, the warming and humidification trend of Qinghai Lake has been clear, and the number of comfortable days for tourism has increased significantly, which has had a direct positive effect on the experience of tourists. (2) Climate change has caused changes in the natural ecology and landscape quality of Qinghai Lake, which has indirectly affected the tourism experience as follows: the expansion of the lake has increased the willingness of tourists to travel; the inundation of Bird Island and Sand Island has reduced the willingness of tourists to travel; and the increase in the number of animals and plants along with the enrichment of biological diversity has increased the willingness of tourists to travel. (3) Different types of tourists respond to the impact of climate change to varying degrees. Among them, female tourists and tourist groups with a higher level of education respond more strongly to climate change and its impacts. Full article

Repurposing shipping containers to construct modular buildings is an emerging trend that contributes to a more sustainable building sector. In the tourism sector, they enable low-impact, relocatable accommodation adaptable to diverse environments, reducing their ecological footprint. The feasibility of using this kind of structure for self-sufficient tourist accommodation has not yet been thoroughly explored. This work focuses on the case study of the Versatile Cabin, a modular building made from end-of-life shipping containers. It provides a comprehensive analysis of its thermal performance and the capability of maintaining comfortable indoor conditions without relying on the electricity grid. Using TRNSYS, the thermal demands of the dwelling are evaluated across 45 different Spanish locations, taking into account the climatic diversity of the country. Additionally, the study explores the integration of a photovoltaic system to supply power for the HVAC equipment, revealing potential for self-sufficiency, particularly in southern locations with lower heating demand. The results indicate that the PV system can meet between 88.5% and 99.9% of the dwelling’s electricity needs, with an average of 96.1%. Overall, the findings offer valuable insights into the thermal performance and self-sufficiency of modular buildings within the tourism sector, aligning with sustainable building practices and sustainable development goals. Full article

Urban destinations increasingly incorporate green–blue infrastructure, sensory-balanced public spaces, and microclimate-responsive design to mitigate visitor fatigue and support sustainable tourism experiences. To understand how insights from broader tourism environments, particularly nature-based contexts, can inform emerging urban well-being strategies, this study conducts a global bibliometric review (2005–2025) on psychological restoration, stress relief, and visitor well-being. Using Scopus and a Boolean search combining mental health constructs, tourism setting, and analytical approaches, 825 records were identified, and 149 articles were retained after applying eligibility criteria. Science mapping and performance analyses reveal accelerated post-2018 growth and three dominant knowledge clusters centered on restoration pathways, environmental determinants, and behavioral/hospitality components. Based on these patterns, this study introduces the RESTOR-URBAN model, integrating environmental moderators, psychological mechanisms, and behavioral interactions that jointly shape stress reduction and emotional well-being across urban tourism systems. The results show increasing relevance of micro-restorative experiences, thermal comfort management, and stress-aware service design, while highlighting persistent methodological heterogeneity and limited integration of environmental co-data (Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET), and Discomfort Index (DI)). The findings suggest that restoration-based evidence from nature-based tourism can inform sustainable urban tourism planning, hospitality practice, and visitor experience design, and propose a research agenda emphasizing standardized well-being indicators, longitudinal and structural equation modeling (SEM)-based approaches, and environmental quality variables for resilient, health-oriented urban destinations. Full article

High-altitude environments characterized by low air pressure, hypoxia, and strong solar radiation have a significant impact on human thermal comfort; however, existing thermal comfort theories and evaluation models are primarily developed under low-altitude climatic conditions, and their applicability in plateau regions remains limited. With the acceleration of urbanization and the increase in residential, tourism, and occupational activities in high-altitude areas, systematically reviewing the research progress on thermal comfort in such environments is of great practical significance. This study combines systematic literature retrieval and bibliometric analysis, based on the Web of Science Core Collection and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, to analyze relevant studies published since 2001. Using CiteSpace, research hotspots, collaboration networks, and evolutionary trends are visualized. The results indicate that current research hotspots mainly focus on physiological responses and thermal adaptation mechanisms under low-pressure and hypoxic conditions, thermal comfort regulation strategies for high-altitude buildings and environments, and the applicability and modification of conventional thermal comfort models. Emerging trends include multi-environmental factor coupling analysis, adaptive model development, region-specific building design approaches, and health-oriented comprehensive evaluation frameworks. The findings provide valuable references for building thermal environment design, regional revision of thermal comfort evaluation standards, and policy-making in high-altitude regions. Full article

Climate change has intensified the need for adaptation in urban environments, yet its integration into historic urban squares, where recreational activities were heavily concentrated, has remained underexplored. In this context, the study examined the square located between Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, which is also defined as an urban recreation area and a focal point of culture-based tourism, during periods of extreme weather conditions and high flows of both local (n = 152), and international tourists (n = 236), evaluating it through different spatial activity typologies. A total of 388 participants were surveyed at 25 survey points within the square, while meteorological parameters were obtained from meteorological stations. The findings showed that the lowest level of heat stress across all typologies corresponded to “slight heat stress,” while user responses varied according to spatial characteristics. In movement spaces, the absence of shading elements increased both heat stress and shade demand, whereas in stationary spaces, the presence of trees reduced heat stress but preferences for lower air humidity persisted even under shaded conditions. Sky openness was not identified as a direct determinant of thermal sensation, with meteorological and perceptual factors proving more influential. PET explained approximately 65% of the variation in MTSV among tourists, compared to 55% among local residents. Across typologies, only increases in air temperature negatively affected thermal satisfaction. Moreover, tourists perceived the square more holistically and reported higher satisfaction compared to locals, whose environmental demands were distinct. These results highlighted the importance of spatial activity typologies in shaping thermal experience and underlined the necessity of design strategies that extended beyond heat-mitigation measures. Holistic and flexible approaches that accounted for user profiles, activity types, and intensity of use were found to be essential for improving thermal comfort in historic urban squares with diverse spatial configurations. Full article

Climate change exerts wide-ranging impacts on urban tourism, influencing visitor well-being, experiences, and the timing and location of activities. Anticipating future variation in climatic conditions in urban destinations is essential for developing climate-resilient strategies and targeted adaptation measures. This study employs high-resolution (1 km) land surface simulations to assess tourism’s climate potential in Szeged, Hungary. Two tourism climate indices were computed at the urban scale for multiple future periods using bias-corrected datasets under different emission scenarios. The analysis examines whether the model can capture urban-induced alterations in the indices and how these impacts emerge in their spatiotemporal patterns. It also evaluates projected changes in tourism potential, arising from the combined influence of regional climate change and urban climate processes, across scenarios and periods. Results show that the climate-modifying effects of urban surfaces are reflected in both urban–rural and intra-urban variations, with outcomes strongly dependent on the index, season, and scenario. Projections indicate a decline in conditions between May and September, alongside stable or improved potential during other months. The findings underscore the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change and urban modifications, emphasizing the potential to extend the tourism season and the need to improve pedestrian comfort during critical periods. Full article

Tourism in Greece is directly influenced by bioclimatic conditions, with thermal comfort being a key determinant of destination suitability. This study quantifies projected changes in outdoor thermal stress across 25 representative Greek tourism locations using the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) index. The analysis employs daily outputs from four EURO-CORDEX regional climate model simulations at ~11 km spatial resolution, covering the period 1970–2100 under three Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP8.5). Predominant PET classes were derived for a reference period (1971–2000) and two future horizons (2031–2060, 2071–2100) to evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution of thermal comfort. The results reveal a consistent upward shift toward higher PET classes, indicating intensifying thermal stress. During the baseline, moderate to strong heat stress (29–35 °C) dominated summer months, with cold stress (<8 °C) restricted to northern and high-altitude stations. By mid-century, even under RCP2.6, summer PET values increasingly exceed 35–41 °C, while RCP8.5 simulations show the first occurrence of extreme PET (>41 °C). By late century, RCP2.6 stabilizes heat stress, whereas RCP4.5 exhibits widespread dominance of strong stress classes and elimination of cold stress. Under RCP8.5, July–August are uniformly categorized as extreme (>41 °C) across nearly all stations, and transitional months shift toward high stress, leading to a homogenization of summer conditions. These findings underscore the high sensitivity of Greek tourism destinations to climate change, highlighting both the critical benefits of global emissions mitigation and the urgent need for locally tailored adaptation strategies. Full article

In the process of revitalizing historic districts, creating a healthy living environment requires a focus on the microclimate comfort of historic districts. Microclimate comfort refers to the comprehensive physiological perception and psychological satisfaction of climate elements such as heat, wind, and humidity under specific local environmental conditions, typically within a spatial range of horizontal scale < 100 m and vertical scale < 10 m. Among these, wind environment quality, as a key factor influencing pedestrian health experiences and cultural tourism appeal, holds particular research value. This study takes the Dabao Island Courtyard District in Qingdao as its subject, employing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation methods from the artificial intelligence (AI) technology framework for modeling. CFD is a numerical method based on computer simulation, which solves fluid control equations (such as the Navier–Stokes equations) through iterative optimization to achieve high-fidelity simulation of physical environments such as airflow, turbulence, and heat transfer. A three-dimensional geometric model of the Dabao Island courtyard district was established, and boundary conditions were set based on local meteorological data. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyze the wind environment before and after the renovation of different layouts, functional spaces, and spatial scales (individual courtyards, clustered courtyards, and surrounding neighborhoods) of the courtyard district. The results indicate that factors such as building layout, street orientation, and renovation strategies significantly influence the wind environment of the Dabao Island neighborhood courtyards, thereby affecting residents’ perceptions of wind comfort. For example, unreasonable building layouts can lead to excessive local wind speeds or vortex phenomena, reducing wind comfort, whereas reasonable renovation and update strategies can facilitate the introduction of wind corridors into the historical courtyard buildings, improving wind environment quality. This study contributes to better protection and utilization of traditional neighborhoods during urban renewal processes, creating a more comfortable wind environment for residents, providing scientific decision-making support for the renovation of historical neighborhoods under the Healthy China strategy, and offering methodological references for wind environment research in other similar traditional neighborhoods. Full article

Tourist flow prediction plays a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of scenic area management, optimizing resource allocation, and promoting the sustainable development of the tourism industry. To improve the accuracy and real-time performance of tourist flow prediction, we propose a BP model based on a hybrid genetic algorithm (GA) and ant colony optimization algorithm (ACO), called the GA-ACO-BP model. First, we comprehensively considered multiple key factors related to tourist flow, including historical tourist flow data (such as tourist flow from yesterday, the previous day, and the same period last year), holiday types, climate comfort, and search popularity index on online map platforms. Second, to address the tendency of the BP model to get easily stuck in local optima, we introduce the GA, which has excellent global search capabilities. Finally, to further improve local convergence speed, we further introduce the ACO algorithm. The experimental results based on tourist flow data from the Elephant Trunk Hill Scenic Area in Guilin indicate that the GA-AC*O-BP model achieves optimal values for key tourist flow prediction metrics such as MAPE, RMSE, MAE, and R², compared to commonly used prediction models. These values are 4.09%, 426.34, 258.80, and 0.98795, respectively. Compared to the initial BP neural network, the improved GA-ACO-BP model reduced error metrics such as MAPE, RMSE, and MAE by 1.12%, 244.04, and 122.91, respectively, and increased the R² metric by 1.85%. Full article

Since gaining independence in 1962, Algeria has significantly developed its tourism infrastructure, including notable projects by Fernand Pouillon. The thermal performance of hotel buildings, measured by discomfort hours and considering the design parameters for both PMV-PPD and adaptive comfort models, is a crucial study area across Algeria’s eight climate zones. This research focuses on the M’Zab Hotel in Ghardaïa, designed by Pouillon, utilising in situ measurements and dynamic simulations with EnergyPlus. After validating the simulation model, the performance of the optimised model, derived from sensitivity analysis parameters, is explored. A comparative study is conducted, analysing results obtained through simulation and psychrometric charts for both comfort models across Algeria’s climate zones. The findings indicate that the optimised design significantly reduces discomfort hours by 27.9% to 54.8% for the PMV-PPD model and 38.8% to 90.3% for the adaptive model, compared to the actual design performance. Strong correlations are observed between the simulation and psychrometric chart results for the PMV-PPD model, while the correlation for the adaptive model requires further investigation. Full article

The evaluation of tourism climate comfort is a systematic assessment of the climate conditions of tourist destinations. It is of great significance for improving the tourism experience, promoting the sustainable development of the tourism industry, and protecting the natural environment. In this study, the CiteSpace software was used to conduct a bibliometrics analysis of the study on tourism climate comfort in China, and the conceptual framework of this study was established based on the bibliometrics results. In the conceptual framework, this study firstly summarized eight indicators widely used in the current evaluation of tourism climate comfort. Secondly, four key technical means in the evaluation process were summarized, including geographic information system, analytic hierarchy process, fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and cluster analysis. And three calculation methods of tourism climate comfort period were summarized, namely number of days with comfortable climate, five-day moving average method, and probability of climate-suitable days. Subsequently, the main application areas of tourism climate comfort evaluation were introduced: (1) exploration of the relationship between climate comfort and tourism activities (i.e., heat/cold-escape tourism, ice-snow tourism, outdoor rafting, coastal tourism, and other types of tourism activities); (2) exploration of the relationship between climate comfort and tourist flow; (3) the response of climate comfort to climate change; and (4) tourism climate regionalization. Finally, the main problems of current research and future development directions were proposed. Full article

Climate change will have a tremendous effect on tourism activities. Tourism revenue plays a crucial role in the Turkish economy; therefore, it is vital to assess the impacts of climate change on tourism. This research aims to investigate the effects of climate change on seaside tourism on the Black Sea region in Türkiye. The summer simmer index (SSI) was utilized to determine the climatic comfort conditions in the summer months. Meteorological data, over 30 years, was used to observe the impact of climate change. Mann–Kendall trend analysis and Şen’s innovative trend analysis were applied to reveal the trends. As a result, SSI zones were computed as zones 1, 2, 3, and 4. Zone 4 was rarely observed. Thermal comfort conditions in the summer were found to not pose a health threat to tourists. Both trend methods determined an upward trend of SSI scores in Akçakoca, Samsun, Rize, and Hopa. These destinations are becoming more favorable in terms of seaside tourism due to climate change. The results of this study can be used for destination marketing. Tourism decision makers may benefit from these results for developing coastal tourism in this region. Full article

The comfort level of air temperature in a region is one of the influencing factors that affect tourists’ choice of tourism purpose. As a national red cultural mecca, the study of air temperature in Jiangxi Province can provide an important scientific reference for the development of tourism and the dissemination of red culture. Temperature is one of the most important indicators for climate comfort studies. Thus, in this paper, the average air temperature in Jiangxi Province in 2018 was studied. Three interpolation methods of Kriging interpolation, the inverse distance weight method, and the spline function method were used to spatially interpolate the data from 26 weather stations to obtain the spatial distribution map of air temperature for comparative study. At the same time, the method of cross-validation was adopted, and the average error and the root-mean-square error were quoted as the evaluation indexes for accuracy assessment. The conclusions of this paper are as follows: (1) the ME of IDW and spline method can reach 0.02–1.82 °C and the RMSE can reach 1.22–2.72 °C; (2) Kriging interpolation improves the RMSE by 27% and 55% compared to IDW and spline function methods, respectively; (3) considering the relatively sparse distribution of meteorological stations in Jiangxi Province, Kriging interpolation can avoid the extreme value phenomenon due to the influence of distance by reasonably choosing the shape and size associated with the surface space in the process of solving. Moreover, the results of this experimental study show that the accuracy of the kriging interpolation method is higher, so this method is more suitable for the spatial interpolation of the temperature in Jiangxi Province. In conclusion, this study provides a reference for the study of temperature comfort in Jiangxi Province. Full article

As the socio-economic landscape expands and tourism flourishes, the traditional earthen dwellings of Tuyugou Village, Turpan, Xinjiang, face significant challenges, including low energy efficiency and suboptimal living comfort, necessitating data-driven and scientifically robust renovation strategies. Existing renovation methods, however, often lack empirical support and rely heavily on the subjective judgments of architects, thus hindering the effective preservation and transmission of cultural heritage. This research addresses the renovation of these traditional dwellings by employing the AHP method to systematically evaluate user requirements, with input from diverse stakeholders, including homeowners, tourists, experts, and government authorities. The study then applies the QFD method to construct the House of Quality, translating user needs into specific design attributes; this is followed by a comprehensive quantitative analysis for optimization. A novel multi-objective optimization model (MOP) is introduced, with materials as the central focus, addressing key aspects of engineering, culture, and energy conservation. The NSGA-II algorithm is utilized to generate optimal Pareto solutions, which are then further refined using the entropy-weighted VIKOR method. Among the ten pre-selected renovation solutions, the sixth design plan was identified as the optimal choice, excelling in cost control, cultural integration, and energy performance. Specifically, it achieved a unit construction cost of RMB 340.566/m², a cultural adaptability score of 1.5364, and an energy cost of RMB 352.793/kWh, thereby demonstrating an effective balance between traditional architectural elements and modern requirements. The objective decision making enabled by the VIKOR method successfully balances cultural preservation with contemporary needs, enhancing both living standards and tourism appeal. This study offers innovative and empirically grounded renovation strategies for traditional dwellings in arid and semi-arid climates, providing a framework that effectively balances cultural preservation and modernization. Full article

Climate change is a major challenge for the global tourism sector, affecting destinations worldwide. Greece, known for its scenery and abundant cultural history, is particularly vulnerable to these impacts. Tourism is a key driver of Greece’s economy, yet climate change threatens both natural environments and cultural sites. To evaluate the impacts of climate change on different types of Greek tourism (beach, sightseeing, winter tourism in mountainous areas), the widely used Holiday Climate Index (beach and urban versions) alongside three additional climatic indices customized for Greek climatic conditions, namely the Urban Climate Comfort Index, the Beach Utility Index, and the Mountainous Winter Climate Index were utilized for top tourist destinations of Greece. The results indicate that urban tourism may face challenges during peak summer months due to rising temperatures, but the shoulder seasons (April–May and September–October) will offer improved conditions, potentially extending the tourist season. For beach tourism, favorable conditions are expected to increase from April to October, with significant gains in June and September. Winter tourism in mountainous areas, especially snow-dependent activities like skiing, is at risk due to the declining snow availability. Overall, the study highlights both the challenges and opportunities posed by climate change for Greece’s tourism sector. It emphasizes the importance of adaptation strategies, including infrastructural improvements and promoting alternative activities, to minimize negative impacts and enhance the future attractiveness of Greek tourism. Full article