On September 26th, the International Conference of Mountain Tourism and Outdoor Sports 2024 opened in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province. At the Conference, Francesco Frangialli, Honorary Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism now) and council member of the International Mountain Tourism Alliance (IMTA), released the research on "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change".
Francesco Frangialli releases research
The research on "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change" is written in Chinese, French and English, and includes the keynote speeches and discussions of scientists, scholars, tourism industry practitioners, French parliamentarians and other elected officials from France, China and other countries and regions during the “International Mountain Tourism Day 2024” theme event. This achievement has contributed to the realization of the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Opening Ceremony of MTOS 2024
On May 29 this year, the “International Mountain Tourism Day 2024” was successfully held in Nice, the capital city of the French department of Alpes-Maritimes. The "IMTD 2024" revolved around the theme of "Mutual Understanding among People through Mountain Tourism" and the forum theme "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change", including a series of activities such as launching ceremony, theme forum, promotion conference, negotiation meeting, exhibition and etc. Through the integration and dialogue of different cultures, attendees discussed innovative strategies, shared new experiences of mountain tourism development, and explored models and paths for multi field and level business cooperation.
IMTD 2024
Francisco Frangialli expressed his hope that the research results on "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change" would enhance the credibility of IMTA, provide valuable services to its members, and gain wider recognition internationally.
"Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change" not only explores the impact of climate change on mountain tourism destinations, but also focuses on how tourism and local communities can mitigate the effects of global warming and adapt to the new environment. Mountainous regions and polar regions are the regions most affected by global warming, and mountain tourism is both a victim and a promoter of global warming. A recent survey published in Nature Climate Change shows that 91% of the 2,234 European ski resorts will soon face severe snow shortage.
Winter sports
However, it is not only alpine skiing and winter sports that are affected, but all forms of mountain tourism are affected by climate change. From the Alps to the Caucasus, from the Andes to the Rocky Mountains to the Himalayas, tourism businesses and local communities are facing the same concerns.
Global warming has led to a reduction in frost and snowfall, resulting in unclear seasons. Climbers and hikers face more dangers of falling rocks and ice towers. Water shortages, sudden glacial lake outburst floods, avalanches and landslides threaten downstream villages. Forests are expanding to higher elevations, putting the unique biodiversity at risk.
Cairngorms National Park
In Frangialli's view, climate change is not the only factor affecting the development of tourism-based mountain communities. The needs and groups of tourists are changing, and the number of tourists is also growing, sometimes rapidly. From Mont Blanc to Mount Everest, from Machu Picchu to Mount Fuji, overtourism has become the enemy of mountain tourism.
Frangialli called for a significant reduction in carbon emissions while investing in tourism infrastructure. In terms of transportation, cable cars and accommodation, it is also urgent to promote carbon reduction actions. For example, when traveling in the mountains, it is best to choose to take the train rather than the plane or drive. He said that if developed in a sustainable way, mountain tourism is fully capable of resisting and adapting to climate change.
Click to download→Full text of "Mountain Tourism Destinations Responding to Climate Change"《气候变化与山地旅游应对之策》
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅱ: Wu Dan
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong
