Session 10 - Seminar on research models and methods in economics
The aim of this disciplinary seminar is to present the most recent work by LARSH economists, but also to invite outside colleagues with recognized expertise in LARSH research areas.
Juan Pedro Aznar Alarcón, ESADE Barcelona
"Climate Change, Tourism Seasonality and Hotel Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Urban Destinations in Southern Europe"
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges, with significant social and economic consequences. However, there remains a gap in the academic literature regarding how rising temperatures affect the tourism and hospitality industry.
Using a dataset of 600 monthly observations for cities in Southern Europe-Seville, Córdoba, Naples, Lisbon, and Athens-this study examines the impact of increasing temperatures on hotel performance. The empirical results indicate that higher temperatures negatively affect occupancy rates, particularly during August and September. In addition, climate change appears to alter seasonality patterns, leading to a flattening of seasonal demand.
Importantly, the relationship between temperature and hotel performance is non-linear, suggesting heterogeneous effects across different periods of the year. These findings have relevant implications for hotel managers, as well as for local and regional policymakers responsible for destination management.
