Theory, Concepts and Methods in Climate-Tourism Research

It is generally accepted that climate is one of the main sources of tourism in a region. However, it is assumed that its role in determining the region's potential for tourism is obvious. In a more general statement there is relatively little knowledge about the effects of climate on tourism or the role it plays. In addition, there is little information about the economic impact or the importance of the climate on the outlook of tourism business. In all areas with climatic criteria, people are accustomed to deciding on tourism and recreation, but often without research and highly relevant to types of applications. So far, much of the research, especially on climate, which is presented in scientific journals, has superficially dealt with the links between climate and tourism instead of conducting scientific observation. In addition, it seriously lacks any organized conceptual framework or a frame that contains interactions, processes, patterns, and theories. These theoretical frameworks are very important because they are bases for producing data, testing hypotheses, and developing further theories. Without these, it is difficult to expand a series of related research methods, and perhaps more importantly, to strengthen the development of patterns that bridge between theoretical and practical levels and can help form a relevant basic knowledge for understanding, expression and prediction. This paper examines the work done on climate and tourism so far with a comparative look at the theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and considers the courses of action that may result from combination of these methods in the future.