Climate risks for Dutch tour operators

Tourism is vulnerable to climate change. Currently, climate change is already affecting tourism flows and climate change will limit tourism posssibilties in many destinations in the future. In addition, the tourism sector is struggling to meet set climate targets, particularly due to current volume-driven growth models. It is therefore likely that tourism companies, such as tour operators, will be increasingly exposed to climate risks.

The conclusion shows that Dutch tour operators indeed face significant climate risks. In particular, tour operators with destinations that are vulnerable to the effects of climate change according to the Climate Change Vulnerability Index for Tourism (CVIT) in their portfolio and tour operators with a high aviation dependency are at risk of value loss and stranded assets. In here lies a significant task for national policymakers. They can facilitate tour operators by making outbound tourism less aviation-dependent through, for instance, a distance-based flight tax, a legally defined CO2 cap for Dutch airports and a ban on fossil advertising. Possible international policy interventions include an international tax on aviation fuel and strengthening the European emissions trading system. Only then will it become worthwhile for tour operators to invest in a sustainable transition.