As El Niño is expected to peak in late 2026, the tourism industry is facing disruptions due to climate-related events. According to regenerative tourism expert Susanna Kelly-Shankar, travelers can prepare for these events by understanding the link between tourism and climate.
The current El Niño is building, with heavy rains and flooding in Peru and wildfires in Indonesia. This climate pattern is known for higher temperatures, droughts, and floods, which can have devastating effects on global communities.
Super El Niños are rare, but they have driven global catastrophes in the past, including the 1876-78 global famine that killed 50 million people. Despite the warnings from major news outlets and the World Meteorological Organization, the tourism industry remains relatively quiet about the issue.
The start of El Niño is signaled by slowing Pacific Ocean trade winds, which alter weather patterns. However, this year’s El Niño is shattering records, with sea surface temperatures surging 5.4°F (3°C) above baseline.
Preparing for Disruptions
Travelers can prepare for climate-related events by decentering themselves from the travel narrative and acknowledging the privilege gap between travelers and communities. This means digging deep to understand the impact of tourism on local communities and the environment.
Simple swaps, such as choosing community homestays over water-heavy resorts and prioritizing small-scale, community-led tours, can help prioritize community needs over personal comfort. Traveling with a local guide can also keep travelers attuned to on-the-ground realities.
When weather disruptions occur, travelers should look for reliable on-the-ground sources and maintain realistic expectations. This may mean accepting that record heat may close tourist sites or that landslides may disrupt transit networks.
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To manage risk, travelers should have a plan B for their travels, take travel and health insurance, and register their trip with their government. Heeding local weather warnings and evacuation orders is also essential for safety.
A Super El Niño is building, and it will disrupt not only travels but also the communities that tourists love to visit. Travelers have a responsibility to understand their privilege and make choices that put communities first, as every choice about when, where, and how to travel carries significant weight.
Tourism’s Environmental Impact
Tourism is resource-intensive, generating a lot of food waste and consuming large amounts of water. Hotel guests use up to eight times more water than the average resident, with many resorts trucking in water during drought.
On social media, travel posts often portray a ‘business as usual’ attitude, and the United Nations Tourism office has not released any El Niño advisories. Many travelers cling to pre-booked trips with a ‘come hell or high water’ mindset, while others reject alarmist messaging and proceed cautiously.
Droughts and floods can shrink food supplies and strain local water sources, pushing prices higher for both residents and guests. In disaster settings, hotel rooms and clean water can become essential assets for displaced families and emergency crews.
Mitigating Climate Risks
A simple step is to search ‘El Niño impacts in [destination]’ to learn local priorities before booking. If drought is forecast, travelers can shorten showers and turn off running water to reduce immediate demand. Adjusting plans—such as traveling in shoulder season or rerouting around storm-prone areas—helps balance safety with continued visitation. Travelers should also carry insurance that covers climate-related disruptions and stay alert to local evacuation notices.