Tourism Climate Index for Italian Context: A Comparative Analysis from 1995 to 2024

This study applies an adapted version of the Tourism Climate Index (TCI) to assess the climatic suitability of four key Italian coastal destinations—Jesolo, Castiglione della Pescaia, Sorrento, and Alghero—over the period 1995–2024. Using ERA5 daily climate data and recalibrated comfort thresholds tailored to Mediterranean conditions, the analysis explores seasonal and temporal variations in climatic favorability for tourism. Results reveal that summer remains the peak season, though recent years show a slight decline in comfort, especially in northern areas. Conversely, spring and autumn exhibit improving TCI values, particularly in southern and insular locations, suggesting potential for tourism de-seasonalization. Winter continues to present low comfort levels, though modest improvements are observed in some destinations. The findings highlight the growing relevance of climate-aware tourism planning and underscore the need for adaptive strategies in response to climate change. The TCI proves to be a useful, though limited, tool for monitoring long-term climatic trends in the tourism sector.