Page 101 - Çevre Şehir İklim İngilizce - Sayı 1

Aysun Aygün Oğur

Türkiye, which is located in the Mediterranean Basin, stands out with its sun
and beach tourism, and attracts most tourists from North European countries
(Germany, England, Russia etc.), has a structure vulnerable to climate change.
The short-term effects of climate change on tourism sector may not be
negative, but its long-term effects are likely to be devastating. Increased
temperatures will cause summer months to be too hot, comfort levels to
decrease, and the coastal regions to lose their appeal. As a result of these
effects, summer time coastal tourism (3S) may lose its popularity and tourism
may move towards inner lands, leading people to focus on tableland tourism,
ecotourism and nature tourism. Additionally, popular tourism season may
shift from summer months to spring or even winter time. The changing
meteorological conditions, extreme weather conditions and disasters may
cause the loss of natural habitats and the unique environments, which make
up the most important component of tourism sector. The increase in forest
fires may trigger the loss of ecosystem and endanger ecotourism (Yıldız,
2009; Aydemir and Şenerol, 2014; Sevim and Ünlüönen, 2010; Gülbahar, 2008;
Aygün, 2021). The “PESETA” research project aims to show the effects of
climate change on tourism in European countries including Türkiye. Through
its study based on Tourism Comfort Index (TCI) changes, the project shows
that climate comfort levels will increase in summer months in Northern and
Western Europe, while they will decrease in Southern Europe, including
the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Türkiye. In fact, it was determined
that by the end of the 21st century, climatic conditions in these regions will
worsen and the negative effects will be much more obvious. (Ciscar et al.,
2009). “PESETA II” project implemented in 2014 also support these findings
(Ciscar et al., 2014). Similarly, in another study, Viner and Agnew (1999) state
that by 2100, the number of extremely hot days with temperatures of over
40oC in the Mediterranean costs of Türkiye will increase, which will decrease
the levels of comfort. With the increased temperatures in winter season, it
is expected that there will be a decrease in deposited snow, which will put
winter sports such as skiing at risk. It is predicted that as the period of snowfall
gets shorter, the depth of snow deposit will get thinner. Thus, winter tourism
will be at risk. It has been possible to observe the effects of climate change for
a long time. According to the report of Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO),
insufficient snowfall has started to have serious negative effects on primary
winter tourism destinations such as Uludağ, Elmadağ, Kartalkaya and Ilgaz
(ATO,2007). Additionally, Zeydan and Sevim (2008) state that low-altitude ski
resorts are more vulnerable to climate change. The fall in precipitation and
the increase in the demand for water will lead supply of water to become a
critical problem (Aydemir and Şenerol, 2014).

86 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate,