The Climate Change Double Bind

Vulnerable Destinations

Climate change threatens tourism assets:

Ski Resort Precarity

• Snow reliability declining below 1,800 meters
• Season shortened by 5 weeks since 1970
• Artificial snow dependency increasing
• Economic model sustainability questioned

Coastal Erosion

• 25% of beaches retreating
• Iconic sites threatened (Étretat, Biarritz)
• Infrastructure relocation costs mounting
• Insurance becoming problematic

Wine Region Shifts

• Traditional grape varieties struggling
• Harvest dates advancing (3 weeks earlier)
• New regions becoming viable
• Terroir concept challenged

Adaptation Strategies

Forward-thinking destinations prepare:

Chamonix Valley

• Glacier retreat tourism (morbid but real)
• Summer activity diversification
• Public transport investment
• Building energy efficiency mandates

Loire Valley

• Drought-resistant landscaping
• Evening/night visits for heat avoidance
• Water recycling systems
• Biodiversity corridors creation