New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, Albania See A Shift In Travel Trends As Tourists Adjust To Climate Change

Sunday, August 3, 2025

New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Albania are experiencing a shift in travel trends as tourists increasingly adjust their plans in response to the growing impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events across Europe are prompting travelers, particularly from New Zealand, to seek out cooler, less crowded destinations during shoulder seasons instead of the traditional summer peak. As climate concerns grow, tourists are opting for spring and autumn travel, where they can enjoy milder weather and avoid the intense heat that has become more common in popular destinations like Italy, Spain, and Greece. This change reflects a broader shift towards more sustainable and climate-conscious travel choices.

A global travel company operating in New Zealand has announced a significant shift in its European tour offerings, moving some trips out of the peak summer months. This change comes in response to the growing concerns of New Zealand travelers about the increasingly severe and disruptive weather patterns across Europe.

Recent data from Southern Cross Travel Insurance (SCTI) shows that nearly three-quarters of New Zealanders now consider travel insurance to be more important due to the impact of climate change. The insurer reported a striking case where a family claimed over \$25,000 in accommodation and flight costs after their flights from Tokyo were canceled due to the Auckland Anniversary floods in 2023. The floods caused Auckland Airport to shut down, causing significant disruptions to travel plans.

This heightened concern has led the travel company to make operational changes. Popular European destinations like Italy, Spain, and Portugal, traditionally booked during the summer months, are no longer the first choice for many travelers. Instead, more tourists are opting for spring and autumn travel when the weather is milder and the crowds thinner.

One New Zealand traveler, currently in Greece, described the heatwave in Athens as feeling “like being in an oven.” His group managed to visit the Acropolis just a day before the site closed due to extreme temperatures. During the hottest part of the day, most people stayed indoors or sought shade. The streets only began to fill again after 6 pm when temperatures dropped.

To address these concerns, the company has decided to adjust its tour schedule. Some of its tours to the Iberian Peninsula will now take place in the shoulder seasons of April, May, and September, rather than during the peak summer months of June to August. The company is also tweaking its itineraries to visit popular attractions earlier or later in the day when the weather is cooler and crowds are smaller.

More than half of the travelers booking tours to Southern Europe are now choosing the shoulder seasons. While destinations like Italy, Spain, and Portugal remain extremely popular, travelers are increasingly seeking to visit in spring or autumn, avoiding the sweltering summer heat and large crowds. This shift in travel behavior reflects the growing demand for cooler, less crowded destinations.

The rising temperatures have been alarming. June 2025 marked the hottest month on record for Western Europe, with some cities experiencing temperatures above 40°C. Wildfires have also ravaged parts of Greece, North Macedonia, and the Balkans, creating even more challenges for travelers. One Kiwi traveler, currently in Albania, reported seeing wildfires on the hills during a coastal drive and witnessing firefighters battling the flames. Though temperatures have dropped to about 30°C, the heat is still manageable compared to Athens’ scorching temperatures.

The frequency of extreme weather events has also led to an increase in insurance claims. Insurers are noticing a rise in claims related to climate-related disruptions. One major insurer confirmed that events once considered “one-in-a-hundred-year” occurrences—such as floods and wildfires—are now happening more regularly. SCTI paid out over \$593,000 for claims related to cyclones, fires, floods, and heatwaves between July 2024 and July 2025.

In response to these disruptions, more travelers are becoming diligent about their travel insurance. One family’s claim highlighted how flight cancellations, caused by the Auckland floods, led to a three-week delay in their return home. The family’s situation worsened when their rebooked flight was also canceled due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Changing booking patterns reflect a shift in how New Zealanders approach travel. Bookings for September departures to Europe have surged, with early September becoming the busiest period for New Zealand travelers. Cooler and less crowded destinations are seeing a significant rise in bookings, prompting the company to open a new office in Copenhagen to handle the increasing demand in Northern Europe. Iceland, for example, saw a 46% increase in bookings, while countries like Serbia, Estonia, and Bosnia & Herzegovina also experienced a notable uptick.

Bookings for Italy in the shoulder seasons have risen by 16% in the past year, signaling a broader shift in how people are planning their trips. This trend helps spread tourism more evenly throughout the year, benefiting both the travelers who enjoy a more relaxed experience and the local communities that benefit from a steadier flow of tourists.

Extreme weather disruptions continue to affect everything from flight schedules to cruise itineraries, prompting insurers to encourage travelers to plan ahead. Policies may not cover cancellations or disruptions if adverse weather conditions were already known prior to departure. As a result, insurance providers urge travelers to carefully review their coverage options before embarking on trips.

Instead of discouraging travel to regions affected by extreme weather, the company is adjusting its approach to travel. By focusing on small group tours led by local guides, the company aims to ensure a positive experience for travelers while also supporting the communities they visit. The goal is not to stop traveling but to adapt to the changing climate in a way that benefits everyone involved.

New Zealand, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Iceland, and Albania are seeing a shift in travel trends as tourists increasingly opt for shoulder season travel to escape rising temperatures and extreme weather. This change reflects a growing awareness of climate change and the desire for cooler, less crowded destinations.

As climate-related events continue to impact travel, the company expects that concerns about extreme weather will play an even greater role in travel planning moving forward. By embracing a more flexible, climate-conscious approach to tourism, the company hopes to create a model that can thrive in an increasingly unpredictable world.