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More than a quarter of travelers faced extreme weather last year
Nearly three-quarters of travelers consider extreme weather risk when planning trips, according to Booking.com.
Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.
NEARLY THREE-QUARTERS OF travelers consider extreme weather risk when choosing destination and timing, both at 74 percent, according to Booking.com. Around 31 percent cancel trips due to these risks.
Booking.com’s “2026 Travel & Sustainability Report” found that 26 percent of travelers experienced extreme weather or a natural disaster in the past 12 months. About 55 percent find these risks stressful when planning a trip and the same share say unpredictable weather makes it hard to decide when to travel.
“Holidays are a big emotional and financial investment for most of us and deciding where and when to go to minimize disruption or discomfort is a key part of the decision-making process,” said Matthias Schmid, senior vice president of accommodations at Booking.com. “Accommodation providers who proactively address travelers’ risks and concerns can build trust and maintain the best possible experience for guests.”
Data shows demand shifting beyond peak months and destinations, the report said. While travel has been concentrated from June to August, 42 percent plan to travel outside peak season and 25 percent seek cooler destinations. About 55 percent say some destinations are too hot at their preferred time, indicating a shift toward more predictable conditions.
Climate-related disruptions have affected accommodation partners. Forty percent have adjusted operations due to climate risks, 24 percent report disruptions to arrivals or departures due to extreme weather and 23 percent say guest discomfort has led to negative reviews.
This creates an opportunity to address climate-related concerns such as extreme heat to protect the guest experience and build confidence during booking, the study said. Partners in cooler destinations can capture demand by positioning their properties as reliable alternatives, while travelers may seek fewer crowds and better value.
Radisson Hotel Group recently announced plans for 100 hotels to reach net-zero status by 2030, building on last year’s pilot of its Verified Net Zero Hotels program, which eliminates fossil fuel use and cuts emissions across operations.
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