The article highlights a growing trend among Irish tourists to seek cooler destinations during the summer, in response to the increasingly high temperatures in traditional southern European destinations. Catherine Clancy, a teacher in Cork, avoids traveling to the Mediterranean in July and August due to the heat and opts for the French Alps this year, reflecting a growing preference for holidays in places with a milder climate.
On the other hand, not all travelers change their habits. Ian O'Sullivan, a doctor from Cork, has plans to visit Madrid and says he is not particularly worried about high temperatures, as long as he adapts activities to the cooler periods of the day. Still, he recognizes the appeal of so-called "coolcations" in destinations like Scandinavia.
According to Cassidy Travel, the demand for holidays in cooler climates and activity-focused experiences is increasing, with destinations such as Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland gaining popularity. Recent data also indicates that Irish consumers book travel closer and closer to their departure date, a trend associated with heatwaves in Europe, geopolitical uncertainty and concerns about the cost of living.
