The importance of analyzing and studying climate change for the economic sustainability of winter tourism centers

Climate change affects all aspects of human life, with the tourism sector being among the most vulnerable to adverse climatic conditions. Mountain regions with developed winter tourism infrastructure are increasingly facing economic challenges due to unstable weather patterns. Winter mountain tourism is highly dependent on temperature and snowfall levels, and the growing variability of these factors leads to financial instability of enterprises, job losses, and economic decline in affected areas. Reviews of existing literature reveal alarming trends with numerous socio-economic consequences, including reduced revenues and negative impacts on local development. The growing number of scientific publications further confirms the importance of this issue. This study presents a comprehensive review of research on the effects of climate change on winter tourism in mountainous areas and examines proposed mitigation and adaptation measures aimed at ensuring the economic sustainability of tourism centers. The goal of the research is to contribute to ongoing academic discourse and provide a basis for the development of local policies that respond to the challenges of the climate crisis in the tourism sector, offering guidance for the creation of resilience strategies relevant to scholars, decision-makers, and spatial planners.