European heatwaves and wildfires drive rising interest in 'coolcation' travel trend

Rising summer temperatures and devastating wildfires in Southern Europe are prompting a shift in European travel preferences toward cooler destinations, a trend dubbed "coolcations." In late July, severe heatwaves fueled massive blazes across France and Spain, forcing the evacuation of more than 300,000 people. Wildfires reached the outskirts of Bordeaux, burning over 420 square kilometers of forest and filling the French city with thick smoke. Similarly, three major wildfires surrounding Madrid consumed 770 square kilometers of land. As extreme heat events become more frequent across the Mediterranean, travelers are increasingly seeking relief by booking holidays in cooler northern climates during peak summer months.

Sources: Rzeczpospolita