Record-breaking summer temperatures have gripped the southeastern U.S., driving residents indoors. The National Weather Service has issued daily warnings during the hot summer months, cautioning everyone against spending even short periods of time outdoors. Tourists that traditionally head south for the tropical climate might want to think twice about planning a Florida vacation. Why? Because the heat can make anyone sick, healthy or otherwise. Prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can kill.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posts information in the Web article, "Keep Your Cool in Hot Weather" (2008, author unknown), stating, "Getting too hot can make you sick. You can become ill from the heat if your body can’t compensate for it and properly cool you off. Heat exposure can even kill you: it caused 8,015 deaths in the United States from 1979 to 2003." The number of heat-related deaths rises each year as the climate grows warmer.
Will Travelers Eventually Avoid Vacations to Florida because of the Heat?
The weather is already giving individuals and families good reason to avoid Florida, and other southern states. Children and infants are extremely vulnerable to excessive heat and sunburn, and so are the elderly. At high risk too, are persons with chronic medical conditions such as kidney problems, respiratory ailments, or heart disease. Travelers that are obese and/or who have high blood pressure or diabetes are warned that the heat can cause serious medical complications. Even persons physically fit are prone to heat exhaustion and heat stroke during extended periods of activity.
Global warming is changing travel in many other parts of the world. The Web site, Adventure Travel News, features the article, "Adventure Tourism Takes Travel to the Extreme, but the Effects of Climate Change Could "Heat Up" a Problem" (Feb. 2009, author unknown) and states, "As our climate changes, travel patterns will too. Popular tourist destinations such as Greece, Jamaica, and Thailand, for example, all of which are largely dependent on tourism, will face rising temperatures and water shortages, requiring new approaches to adventure product development and resource management."
Many of Florida's most popular tourist attractions are outdoors, such as Florida's Sunken Gardens, Homosassa Springs State Park, and world-renowned Silver Springs. The hugely popular central state attractions, the vast number of amusement parks, Busch Gardens, alligator farms, and historic cities such as Saint Augustine, all rely on droves of summer visitors to survive. The attractions are open year-round, but if temperatures drive tourists away during the months of May through September, the Florida economy will suffer.
Florida water sports attractions could also be jeopardized as people avoid dangerous heat and sun. Skiing, canoeing, and fishing may decline. The Florida beaches will not be exempt from disaster either, as residents and tourists take refuge from the extreme heat and the sun's damaging effects.
Florida Tourism May See Dramatic Changes in the Near Future
Climate conditions are not expected to improve in Florida, or anywhere else; in fact, the situation is expected to worsen as global warming continues. It's no longer a question of getting acclimated to hot humid conditions when visiting the southern United States, but is instead a matter of avoiding the heat for reasons of health, safety, and survival. Consider the possibilities for change:
- Shift vacation months. As the world continues to heat through global warming, vacation time in the U.S. (and many other parts of the world) may shift from the traditional summer months to spring or fall when the weather is safer for humans to be outdoors. Since Florida attractions are open all year, there would be a significant decline in tourism from May to September, but the sunshine state would see an equally significant increase in tourism (and income) during the new vacation period.
- Attractions open all night. Some Florida theme parks stay open all night to accommodate special groups and events. This solution would neither be practical for botanical gardens nor possible for favorite tourist spots such as Silver Springs, which features glass-bottom boat rides as a main attraction. Many places would be forced to close or make drastic changes at huge costs.
- Develop new indoor attractions. Just as Disney World offers many indoor attractions, the rest of Florida may be forced to follow suit in the future if the tourism industry is to survive. Sadly, many long-time outdoor tourist favorites will be lost in the economic struggle to survive.
- Florida Beach Survival. The beaches are still the top Florida attraction, but extreme temperatures could drive tourists away from the sand and surf during the hottest months. Time will tell if tourist crowds descending on the beaches the rest of the year would be enough to prevent financial disaster for coastal cities and towns.
Extreme temperatures during the summer months often exceed the hundred-degree mark in Florida. Veteran residents are no strangers to the intense heat, but gradual changes in the climate are forcing lifestyle modifications for everyone. Classic Florida vacation sites and popular family attractions are becoming health risks because of the heat even for those persons physically fit.
Excessive heat could eventually cause catastrophic damage to Florida's tourist industry unless changes are made in the near future. Global warming is redefining tourism on a world-wide scale. There is no reason to think the state of Florida – and the rest of the United States – can escape the changes that will eventually revamp the tourist industry.
Mary King - Mary King is a Suite101 Topic Editor for the Caregiver Support and Home Management sections. She has authored 5 teen-based novels.
Join the Conversation