A second generation climate index for tourism (CIT): specification and verification.

Area of Science:

• Tourism Climatology
• Environmental Science
• Recreation and Leisure Studies

Background:

• Climate is a crucial resource for tourism, necessitating robust evaluation methods.
• Existing indices often fail to capture the multifaceted nature of climate for tourism.
• A comprehensive index is needed to assess climate suitability for weather-dependent activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a theoretically sound and empirically tested Climate Index for Tourism (CIT).
• To integrate thermal, aesthetic, and physical weather facets into a single, measurable index.
• To specifically assess climate suitability for "sun, sea, and sand" (3S) beach holidays.

Main Methods:

• Developed the Climate Index for Tourism (CIT) by integrating thermal (T), aesthetic (A), and physical (P) weather facets.
• Utilized a weather typology matrix combining T, A, and P to determine climate satisfaction ratings (1-7).
• Validated the CIT through a survey (N=331) assessing thermal sensations, sky conditions, and the impact of wind/rain.

Main Results:

• Optimal conditions (CIT 6-7) for 3S tourism are slightly warm with clear or scattered skies.
• Acceptable conditions (CIT 4-5) include thermal ranges from indifferent to hot, even with overcast skies.
• High winds (≥6 m/s) or rain significantly reduce the CIT rating to unacceptable levels (1-2), overriding pleasant thermal conditions.

Conclusions:

• The Climate Index for Tourism (CIT) provides a robust method for evaluating climate resources for 3S tourism.
• CIT effectively integrates key weather variables to offer a nuanced satisfaction rating.
• Further research is exploring cross-cultural variations in climate preferences for international tourist segments.