Reading Time: 2 minutes

A recent survey by InsureandGo revealed that 80% of British holidaymakers believe some popular European destinations will become too hot to visit within the next five years due to climate change and extreme weather.

The study, which polled a representative sample of 2,000 adults, asked participants to consider how the extreme weather they experienced in recent summers might influence their future travel plans. This July, four in five Brits identified at least one European country they anticipate will be too hot to visit by 2029, up from 71% who expressed similar concerns last year.

The countries most frequently mentioned as potentially becoming too hot for summer vacations include Greece (48%), Turkey (45%), Spain (44%), Cyprus (40%), Italy (28%), Portugal (27%), and Malta (23%).

Experiencing Climate Change First-Hand on Holidays

In recent years, a significant number of UK holidaymakers have directly felt the effects of climate change during their trips abroad. This phenomenon has become more prevalent, with the percentage rising from 78% in the summer of 2022 to 85% this July.

Holidaymakers have reported a range of climate-related issues, with the most common being higher temperatures (45%), deteriorating air quality (26%), and an increase in plastic waste and litter on beaches (28%). The research shows a consistent rise in these experiences year over year.

Even though a record 83% of Brits plan to travel overseas in the near future, the cumulative impact of three summers of extreme heat is beginning to affect their travel decisions and preparations. Consequently, numerous holidaymakers are now:

– Scrutinizing their travel insurance policies for coverage details and cancellation terms (18%);
– Researching anticipated temperatures at potential destinations (17%);
– Evaluating hotel amenities, such as air conditioning (16%);
– Opting for higher-quality accommodations that offer robust safety protocols in case of emergencies (13%).

Garry Nelson Head of Corporate Affairs at InsureandGo commented: “Most people are pushing forward with their much-needed summer holidays. This summer looks set to be another busy year at the usual southern Mediterranean hotspots. But there are clear signs that things could be about to change longer-term. Thousands of people have experienced extreme weather during their summer breaks in recent years and it’s becoming clear that this is becoming an annual occurrence. At InsureandGo, we want to help people go abroad without the doubt. We would encourage people to do their destination research before they fly off and also to check what their travel insurance covers in terms of cancellation and medical cover for those with pre-existing conditions.”