Hotter Holidays
Thank you to all the LATA members who joined our recent workshop with Kathy Atkinson from The Safer Tourism Foundation.
Kathy covered rising global temperatures and heat waves, how heat affects destinations unevenly (urban heat islands, coastal vs. rural vs. mountain), and the physiology of heat stress noting that children, older travellers, women, and those with pre-existing conditions or on medication face greater risk. She explained the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and outlined prevention measures such as hydration, acclimatisation, clothing, itinerary planning.
We hope the open conversation afterwards was useful and appreciate everyone’s comments and insights. We have recorded Kathy’s presentation so that members can watch this part again.
Key Takeaways
Heat waves are intensifying and record-breaking. 2025 was among the top three warmest years, with Mexico recording its hottest-ever temperature (52.7°C), and no international standard definition of a “heat wave” (the EU/UK use three consecutive days in the top 5% for that period).
Heat isn’t just an air-temperature problem. Ocean warming, humidity, and even improved air quality (less pollution allowing more direct sunshine) all contribute to regional warming patterns.
Heat varies hugely within destinations. Urban, rural, mountainous and coastal areas heat and cool differently, and urban heat islands can create differentials of up to 8°C within the same city (e.g. Madrid).
Consumer demand is already shifting. EU research shows travellers moving away from hot destinations in peak summer toward shoulder seasons, with the size of the shift increasing non-linearly with temperature rise.
Heat risk is highly individual. The body cools via sweating and vasodilation, and factors like age, sex, medication, obesity, alcohol use, and pre-existing health conditions (heart disease, COPD, diabetes, mental health, dementia) all change vulnerability.
Certain groups need extra attention. Children, older travellers, and women are disproportionately affected, and worryingly, over-65s are the least likely age group to change future travel behaviour after experiencing heat illness, unlike 18–24 year olds.
Know the difference between heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Exhaustion is self-treatable within ~30 minutes with cooling and rehydration; heat stroke (marked by hot, dry skin and confusion) is a medical emergency requiring urgent care, and all suppliers/DMC staff should be trained to distinguish the two.
Less obvious risks need planning for. Queuing in heat can cause fainting (especially for those on blood pressure medication), medications may need temperature-controlled storage, and illness effects can be delayed by up to a week.
Acclimatisation takes 1–2 weeks. itineraries should build in a gentler start (avoiding intense physical activity immediately) to allow travellers to adjust, especially since alcohol and pre-existing conditions slow this process further.
Practical mitigations are already in use by Safer Tourism Pledge Partners. Encouraging customers to disclose relevant health conditions at booking, timing itineraries around acclimatisation, sharing toilet-stop info to ease hydration anxiety, providing refillable water bottles, and giving electrolytes to physically active staff.
Watch again here: