Climate Crisis and Tourist Attractions: Threats and Opportunities in Lower Austria

Visitor attractions play a vital role in Lower Austria's tourism industry. However, their appeal and the overall visitor experience are being impacted by climate change, which brings rising temperatures, prolonged dry periods, and an increase in extreme weather events (Pröbstl-Haider et al., 2020). To assess the potential risks, impacts, and opportunities posed by climate change, 110 responses to an online survey were collected from managers of a variety of attractions, from historic castles to national parks, across Lower Austria. The results indicate that the effects vary depending on factors like location, type of attraction, and individual characteristics but also the critical position of attractions. Given the complexity of the attraction sector, the study identified numerous adaptation and mitigation strategies, demonstrating that attractions are aware of the need for action at various levels and are committed to taking responsibility