Chasing​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ the Cold: The Rise of Cooltourism as the Latest Trend in Global Travel

The new Cooltourism (or "coolcations") trend in worldwide travel is mainly about travelers going to places with lower temperatures. These travelers are usually those who want to escape the extreme heat of traditional summer hotspots or those who want to have an alpine/northern-latitude activity experience that is available throughout the year.

This trend is basically the consequence of global warming, the problem of too many tourists in places with warm weather, and a growing community of travelers who prefer sustainable traveling, which usually means going to nature and cooler places.

What is Cooltourism?

Cooltourism refers to the travel trend where holidaymakers purposely pick out the travel destinations that have a cooler climate. Those are:

• Very Cold Climates: The regions and countries of Northern Europe (such as the Nordic and Baltic states), Iceland, or the Arctic.

• Mountains and the Alps: Places that offer you a retreat in the mountains, or can stay with you throughout both the summer and winter seasons.

• Cold Sea Beaches: Seaside resorts in places like the Baltic Sea, which offer pleasant summer temperatures compared to the Mediterranean.

Instead of following the usual "sun-and-sand" vacation, people have started emphasizing that they want to be comfortable, get unique experiences, and, most probably, have an environmentally friendly impact through visiting less-known or less seasonally visited places.

Essential Reasons for the Cooltourism Trend

There are many reasons that lead people to think about planning cool vacations. Here are the most important:

• Global Warming & Heatwaves: The temperature in traditional southern European destinations in summer is forced to go over the limit, with the heatwaves being more frequent and stronger than before. This fact pushes tourists to look for alternative locations that offer a more comfortable and suitable climate.

• Seeking Worth and Realness Travelling: Travelers are looking for worth in money and real experiences that they feel cozier and that are more natural. They also think that the cooler and less-developed destinations will better meet their needs.

• The Rise of Adventure and Experiential Tourism: Almost all the cooler destinations, especially in the Nordic and mountain areas, are extremely ready for the development of the adventure tourism industry. They provide the following activities: hiking, climbing, and the observation of wildlife, and snow sports.

• Focus on Sustainability: Quite a few places which could be attractive for the cool-tourism market, also, are in accordance with the ecotourism and sustainable travel trend; this is because they are concentrating on saving their impeccable, natural surroundings (e.g., national parks, fjords, forests).

Cooltourism Destinations Most Visited

In fact, every international destination in a cold place is good for a cooltourist, however, there are some places that are especially locations that will benefit from such kind of travel:

• Nordic Countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland): Known for fjords, the Northern Lights, amazing natural landscapes, and outdoor activities 365 days a year.

• Balts (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia): They have long beaches along the Baltic Sea, which is an excellent cool summer vacation destination that is also cheap relative to the Nordics.

• Alps (Swiss Alps, Dolomites, etc.): Getting rid of the idea that only winter sports are possible and year-round hiking, wellness, and altitude-focused escapes (the "Altitude Shift" trend) are embraced.

• Northern British Isles/Ireland: Coasts and mountains with cool summers, and perfect retreats for nature lovers, are what these places offer.

International Cooltourism Preparation

Being a cooltourist means that your international travel checklist and packing list will be very different from those of a trip to the tropics.

International Travel Checklist Essentials

Apart from the basic passport, visa, and travel insurance, a trip to Cooltourism often demands getting ready in a more particular manner:

To Reiterate… 

Cooltourism is not a mere temporary international travel fad; instead, it marks a substantial, goal-oriented way by which people decide to spend their vacations. The main reasons attracting people to this trend are a longing for comfort, curiosity about the untouched nature, and a growing eco-consciousness. Cooltourism provides a feasible and attractive alternative to classic mass tourism.

International travelers who decide to take coolcations are not only escaping from the heat to seek deeper, more sustainable, and wholly real experiences. As more and more people prioritize authentic and low-impact adventures, destinations in the North and mountains will be gaining more and more of the status of the world's hottest new travel frontiers. The pursuit of cold, promising, unforgettable, and rewarding experiences, is a dream come true for the well-prepared ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌traveler.