When planning a vacation, August is not always the first pick for many travelers. Experts warn that rising temperatures linked to global warming could push more people to choose shoulder months like October or March in the near future.
Yet the travel industry often keeps a steady rhythm due to school holidays and other fixed schedules. These factors help maintain a long summer tempo, making much of the year feel like peak season for certain destinations.
Fernando Maestre, director of the Arid Zones Ecology and Global Change Laboratory at the University of Alicante, notes that if forecasts hold, August could become an extreme heat month for many people, prompting some to visit at other times of the year instead (Attribution: University of Alicante). This could drive higher energy costs for hotels as cooling needs surge, intensifying urban heat island effects in cities.
Even in October, beaches may stay crowded with visitors. Maestre adds that summer is getting longer, which means the traditional peak in July and August might shift toward lighter crowds in October or November.
legal change
Jorge Olcina, director of the University of Alicante Climatology Laboratory, shares a provocative view. He argues that the old idea of high or low season could lose relevance as comfortable weather for rest stretches across a longer stretch of the year, potentially from May to October. This trend, alongside Holy Week and Easter, could keep visitor numbers healthy throughout the year (Attribution: University of Alicante).
For this shift in travel patterns to take hold, Olcina says it will be necessary to relax rigid work schedules and holiday calendars, since concentrating paydays in one month would no longer make sense (Attribution: University of Alicante).
He also warns that global warming will push cities to adopt urban design measures such as more green spaces and fountains to cope with heat. Municipal long‑term plans will be crucial as travelers grow more environmentally and climatically conscious. Fortunately, the sector is increasingly aware of these realities and seeks practical responses (Attribution: University of Alicante).
President of Hosbec, Fede Fuster, argues that legislative changes may be required to adjust seasonal patterns, since people travel when they can, not when they want to. He suggests that conditions like corporate policies and summer vacation norms should be weighed more heavily than the weather itself when planning travel behavior (Attribution: Hosbec).
According to Fuster, the seasons with favorable weather will likely extend, presenting a sustained opportunity for the industry to pursue de-seasonalization. He urges the promotion of attractions beyond sun and sand, such as culture, sports, and nature tourism. These areas, while not yet self-sustaining, can collectively broaden the Valencian Community’s appeal and attract visitors year‑round (Attribution: Hosbec).
sector is prepared
p>Regarding July and August, Fuster notes that the industry is well prepared and coastal climates tend to be milder due to the sea’s thermoregulatory effect. With careful planning, these destinations could remain appealing throughout the year without abrupt shifts in demand.
For this forecast to become reality, hotel managers emphasize the need to expand air connections and avoid measures that would erode competitiveness when comparing with other popular destinations. Fees or policies that discourage travel would undermine the region’s ability to attract steady crowds (Attribution: Hosbec).
…
Notes from the environmental department of the region are kept confidential for water and climate policy planning to protect the integrity of ongoing studies and public health considerations.