Published on
September 27, 2025
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative was recently launched at New York Climate Week, marking a pivotal moment in tackling the escalating climate-related challenges faced by the global tourism industry. This initiative brings together a network of global partners aiming to assist cities in preparing for the increasing climate risks that threaten their tourism sectors. By offering customized climate risk assessments, the project is designed to provide cities with the necessary insights and strategies to confront issues such as extreme heat, water shortages, and wildfires—factors that pose significant threats to tourism, a vital economic sector for many urban areas. The initiative seeks not only to identify these risks but also to empower cities with tools to safeguard their tourism economies and natural resources as they face a climate of growing uncertainty.
Key Objective of the Destination Climate RiskScan Initiative
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative aims to help cities around the world prepare their tourism industries for the future impacts of climate change. Officially launched during New York Climate Week, this global project is focused on providing cities with detailed climate risk profiles and practical recommendations for addressing climate-related challenges. It draws on the expertise of professionals in fields such as climate risk management, urban planning, and tourism sustainability. Their collective goal is to provide cities with the tools necessary to ensure their tourism industries remain resilient in the face of climate disruptions.
The initiative encourages Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) and city authorities to take part by receiving tailored climate risk assessments. These assessments are designed to identify specific climate risks facing each urban area, such as extreme heat, water scarcity, and the growing threat of wildfires. Along with identifying these risks, the initiative also offers cities strategic guidance on how to develop sustainable tourism strategies that protect local assets, maintain a steady flow of visitors, and ensure that businesses continue to thrive, even amidst climate challenges.
Growing Climate Threats to Cities and Tourism
Urban destinations are especially vulnerable to the effects of climate change, given their central role in the global tourism economy. According to the Tourism Economics 2019 report, cities are responsible for approximately half of all international travel, emphasizing their significance to the tourism industry. This makes addressing the climate-related risks they face even more critical. Experts from C40 Cities have projected that by 2050, nearly 1,000 cities will experience regular extreme heat events, which highlights the urgency for cities to plan and adapt. Climate resilience in tourism is no longer optional—it has become a necessity.
With millions of tourists visiting urban destinations annually, the economic consequences of climate disruptions could be severe. For cities, increased extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations could diminish the tourism sector’s ability to generate significant revenue and employment. The Destination Climate RiskScan project plays a pivotal role by providing cities with the necessary tools and knowledge to address these challenges and maintain a robust tourism economy despite the growing risks posed by climate change.
Collaboration of Experts to Drive the Initiative
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative is a collaborative effort that brings together a range of organizations specializing in climate resilience, tourism sustainability, and urban planning. The project is spearheaded by the Travel Foundation, a leading advocate for sustainable tourism. Academic institutions like CELTH, Breda University of Applied Sciences, and NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences have also contributed their expertise in developing methodologies to assess climate risks and how these risks affect tourism destinations.
Risklayer, experts in resilience science, provide the necessary technical support to analyze the potential impacts of climate change on cities. Resonance, specialists in urban planning and placemaking, help cities craft comprehensive strategies that ensure climate resilience in their tourism sectors. In addition, Tourism HR Canada supports the initiative by helping cities build a workforce that is prepared to adapt to the changing demands of the tourism industry, as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced.
These organizations work together to equip cities with valuable resources, including data-driven tools, hands-on support, and financial assistance, all aimed at helping cities build sustainable tourism practices and ensure they are capable of navigating the risks posed by climate change.
Making Participation Accessible for Cities Worldwide
One of the core goals of the Destination Climate RiskScan initiative is to make participation accessible to cities of all sizes, regardless of their financial capabilities. Recognizing that some cities may face financial barriers, the initiative has introduced £5,000 Climate Action Grants. These grants are designed to help cover the costs of joining the project, making it easier for cities, even those with limited budgets, to engage in the Destination Climate RiskScan initiative. Along with these grants, the project also offers in-kind support from its partners, further lowering the barriers for cities to participate.
By providing financial assistance and practical guidance, the project ensures that cities of all sizes can take part in the initiative and begin developing climate resilience strategies for their tourism sectors. This support is critical in ensuring that cities can implement sustainable tourism practices, even in the face of climate risks, allowing tourism to remain a vital economic driver for years to come.
Encouraging Innovative Solutions for Sustainable Urban Tourism
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative encourages cities to develop innovative solutions and creative strategies to address the challenges posed by climate change. By offering financial grants and hands-on support, the project enables cities to take action that not only reduces the risks associated with climate change but also promotes long-term sustainability in their tourism sectors. Cities that join the project will gain access to valuable insights into climate resilience, which will help them plan for the future and ensure that their tourism industries remain robust despite an increasingly unpredictable climate.
As urban destinations continue to expand, the demand for sustainable tourism practices has never been greater. Through this initiative, cities will be equipped to meet the needs of their visitors while addressing the inevitable challenges that climate change will bring. By focusing on climate resilience, the project helps cities establish a strong foundation for tourism sustainability in the decades to come.
Establishing Climate-Resilient Urban Tourism
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative is a key step in building a climate-resilient tourism industry. As the effects of climate change become more apparent, cities must implement strategies to protect their tourism industries and secure long-term economic stability. This project provides cities with more than just climate risk assessments; it offers actionable strategies that will help cities achieve sustainability, even in the face of unpredictable climate events.
By drawing on the expertise of professionals in tourism, climate resilience, and urban planning, the initiative sets a global benchmark for how cities can prepare for the impacts of climate change. Cities that participate in the project will be better positioned to protect their tourism economies while contributing to broader efforts to combat climate change. These cities will become leaders in climate resilience and set a precedent for others, advancing the global shift towards sustainable tourism practices that can withstand future climate challenges.
A Global Movement for Safeguarding Tourism
As climate-related events become more frequent and severe, the need for strategic planning and resilience-building within the tourism industry is more urgent than ever. The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative equips cities with the tools and knowledge they need to safeguard their tourism industries from the adverse effects of climate change. Through climate risk assessments, financial support, and strategic guidance, the initiative helps cities take a proactive approach to addressing climate risks and building resilient tourism sectors.
The long-term vision for the initiative is to create a global network of climate-resilient cities, each contributing to the broader effort to protect both the tourism sector and local economies from the growing challenges of climate change. By participating in this project, cities not only strengthen their own tourism industries but also play an essential role in shaping a more sustainable global tourism industry.
Leading the Way in Climate-Resilient Tourism
The Destination Climate RiskScan initiative is a vital step in ensuring that urban destinations around the world can continue to thrive as sustainable tourism hubs. By offering climate risk assessments, financial support, and strategic guidance, the initiative helps cities prepare for the climate-related risks they face while safeguarding their tourism economies. With the support of experts in various fields, cities will be better equipped to confront future challenges and continue attracting visitors despite climate uncertainty.
This initiative offers a global framework for cities to demonstrate how sustainable tourism can adapt and thrive, even in the face of climate change. Through this collective effort, urban tourism will continue to serve as a critical economic engine, ensuring its long-term viability amid the growing environmental challenges that lie ahead.
