Influencia de las condiciones atmosféricas en las visitas a atractivos culturales e implicaciones frente al cambio climático

How will climate change affect different tourism activities? This study offers an in-depth analysis of the influence of atmospheric conditions on cultural attractions—an essential yet still underexplored segment from this perspective. It examines how meteorological factors shape tourists’ decisions and levels of satisfaction in two major cultural sites on the Iberian Peninsula: the Altamira Museum (Spain) and the Jerónimos Monastery (Portugal). Drawing on visitor surveys, the study evaluates the impact of various climatic variables, as well as differences linked to visitor profiles. The findings indicate that, beyond rising temperatures, it is episodes of heavy rainfall and strong winds that most significantly disrupt visitors’ planning and overall experience, with uneven effects depending on the type of public and the specific infrastructure. In a context of global warming, the main challenges will stem from the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, requiring tourism management to adapt to anticipate risks and ensure satisfactory and sustainable experiences in cultural tourism. Moreover, these sites may acquire an emerging role as urban climate refuges, further underscoring their relevance within broader adaptation strategies.