METHODOLOGIES TO ASSESS THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE ON TOURISM: WEATHER TYPE AND INDIVIDUAL PERCEPTION

ABSTRACT Tourism is an important activity in many countries. The climatic conditions are part of the image created about these places, mainly as a factor of attraction but sometimes also as a risk factor. The climatic information available for tourism purposes usually comprises the mean values of some specific variables. However, it must be kept in mind that the individuals are sensitive to particular combinations of meteorological parameters, rather than to single ones. This paper provides a review of some different methods used to assess the influence of weather and climate on tourism. It is important to carry out the assessment of the relationship between climate and tourism by considering the frequency of weather types and/or indices, as well as their time variation. In general, the use of a thermo-physiological index, such as the Physiological Equivalent Temperature, is advantageous as it allows the evaluation of the combined influences of the atmospheric parameters, defining the thermal aspects of the atmospheric environment. This index can be combined with physical parameters and aesthetical aspects (such as cloud cover) to form weather type classes. Two examples are given, one from Funchal (Madeira Island) and the other from a sea-side resort in Sintra, western Portugal. The second step of the research should involve a validation of the weather perception by tourists; this can be achieved by means of questionnaires, which must include subjective factors (motivation, individual preferences and cultural aspects), as they influence the perception of weather conditions and level of bioclimatic comfort. The use of both methodologies (weather typing and questionnaires) will enable us to assess more accurately the weather perception of different groups of tourists