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1570Beginning
Without having to confirm that tourism is the number one global industry, there is no doubt that holidays and leisure travel have become one of the most fundamental components of consumption in countries with higher level of income. In this sense, the most recent statistics estimate that the number of annual trips for tourist reasons sits at some 550 million; and of these, some 60% head for sub-tropical coastal areas (Mediterranean, the sea of Japan, the Gulf of Mexico, the Californian coast, etc...).
With an area of 2.5 million km2 and 30,000 km of coast, the Mediterranean Sea is the number one tourist destination in the world because of the number of holidaymakers that go there every summer. Along with its contrasting landscapes and the proximity of the large European focal points of demand, the climate is a major comparative advantage of the natural space. Let us not forget that our climate, despite the fact the we have become used to its huge contrasts, is UNIQUE due to the lack of rain in the summer and SCARCE since its relative abundance amongst the major climatic groups on the planet reaches very low levels .
However, within this natural framework it is possible to find quite pronounced differences, which can be used to blend seasonal variation into the “use” of this tourist space. In this report, a succinct approach to the more optimum climatic conditions is proposed, using large-scale perimeters and which would need to be complemented by micro-climatic studies, very necessary for such a contrasted natural area as this.
Study of findings
Tourist activity and climate: comparative data
Generalitat Valenciana
Conselleria d'Infraestructures i Transports
Dirección General de Urbanismo y Ordenación Territorial
