In the wake of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, HolidayCheck draws a list of popular tourism destinations that are threatened by global warming and that are definitely worth a visit before it's too late.
As one of the oldest cities in the world with an incredible array of architectural monuments, Athens is among the favourite cultural holiday destinations. Unfortunately, the temperature rise may be happening in the Mediterranean faster than anywhere else. It is estimated that Athens will become decidedly uncomfortable by 2020, with summer temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius (104 °F) and with a growing smog concern.
Better hit the slopes at one of the most popular ski spots in the world before it's too late: 2002 and 2003 were the warmest years on record in the Alps in the past 500 years. The most vulnerable areas are certainly low-altitude ski-resorts, notably in the Eastern Alps, such as Kitzbühel in Austria. With just two degree Celsius (35.6 °F) rise in temperature, the natural Alpine resorts in Europe would drop by 200.
The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It is also on the brink of changing forever. With a multitude of ecosystems, from pinelands and sawgrass prairies to hardwood hammocks and cypress swamps, the Everglades provide a habitat for dozens of endangered species. But the sea-level rise will make the Everglades' swamps, marshes and lakes more vulnerable to storms and flooding and expose its guests to danger.
Climate change is the most significant threat to the survival of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Coral bleaching is increasing in frequency and severity due to rising sea temperatures, and could become an annual event in the course of this century. The most widespread events occurred in 1998 and 2002 with more than 50% of reefs bleached. As the reef dies, other organisms, such as the reef predator crown-of-thorns starfish, move in. By 2050, scientists say, the reef could be dominated by non-coral organisms.
Rarely was a name given to a city so appropriate. Venice, the City of Water, is quite used to the acqua alta ('high water'). According to a new study, MOSE, the new and costly flood barriers, might not be able to protect it in future. Tide rises above 110 centimetres about four times a year, but by the end of the century high water could swamp the city between 30 and 250 times a year. The impact on the local environment and on tourism would be considerable.
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Founded in 1999, HolidayCheck is one of the largest travel-related internet portals in Europe. It has some 300.000 users and receives about 150.000 visits each day. It is a TÃœV-certified company, thus ensuring quality, security and transparency. HolidayCheck has platforms available in 10 languages and comprises over 1.000.000 hotel reviews, 1.300.000 holiday pictures and 20.000 videos. The company's head office is in Bottighofen, a Swiss city on Lake Constance.
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