Among the many travel-related predictions for 2007 is the prospect of mercury rising to record levels! According to the British Meteorogical society, there is a 60% chance that 07 will be the hottest year ever, beating out 1998’s soaring temperatures.
It will be interesting to watch the impact of the continued, dramatic change in weather on travel patterns. Already, January in NYC is beginning to feel like Spring in Central park. While balmy weather promotes outdoor activities and shopping, an uncomfortable spike in heat (reminiscent of last year’s heat waves) can force travelers to put off visits to popular “summer” cities. Destinations once considered dreary, cold will suddenly become hot, new “escapes”! Ice-skating, skiing, mountain-climbing will become year-round winter wonderland pursuits (as people start to miss the cold weather and all the fun that came with it). Ecotourism and environmentally-friendly vacations will become more than just buzzwords in travel brochures.
Rising temperatures are being attributed to El Nino and global warming – the heat is on and here to stay until something is done about it!