S'pore travellers flock to popular destinations amid record heat

Summer has scorched the mid-year travel season in June and July, continuing the trend of record-breaking heat that has swept continents in recent years.

In southern Spain and Portugal, the mercury is expected to hit a blistering 43 deg C, while 21 Italian cities, including Milan, Venice and Rome, have been placed on red alert for extreme heat - the highest warning level in the country.

Wildfires have ravaged parts of Greece and Spain, prompting mass evacuations and deaths. Heat-related deaths have also been recorded in France and Italy.

Closer to home, Japan recorded its hottest June since 1898, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. In the second half of the month, many parts of the country experienced temperatures exceeding 35 deg C for days at a stretch.

In eastern China, cities such as Shanghai and Hangzhou have hit highs of 35 to 39 deg C, while parts of the western Xinjiang region have experienced brutal heatwave conditions, with temperatures spiking above 45 deg C.

Despite the searing heat, travel agencies in Singapore say bookings to popular regional and long-haul destinations remain robust during the peak summer months of June, July and August.

"This period consistently sees demand, particularly for family-friendly destinations and experiences that cater to multi-generational travel. June is also a favourite as there are longer daylight hours across Europe and the Americas," says Mr Nick Lim, Asia chief executive of travel company The Travel Corporation (TTC).

"Guests who choose to travel during this period are generally aware that it may be hotter and that there's a chance of encountering a heatwave. Many of our guests are also used to the heat year-round in Singapore and haven't considered heat as a deterrent."

Chan Brothers Travel and ASA Holidays say destinations experiencing heatwaves have not seen a dip in interest, particularly during the school holidays.

Ways to beat the heat

But the heat is reshaping travel behaviour in certain market segments. Luxury tour operator Scott Dunn, for instance, has had more clients seeking cooler destinations.

"In recent years, for travel during the summer period, we've been seeing a trend of guests favouring destinations with cooler climes instead of traditional summer beach holiday favourites," says Ms Gwen Ho, the company's team lead and Africa specialist.

She lists the Nordics, Scotland, Ireland and Sri Lanka as recent popular alternatives.

"Sometimes, we have guests who still opt to travel in months when the heat is at its highest - perhaps to escape crowds, enjoy better prices or maybe that's the only period they are available to travel," adds Ms Ho.

Singaporean social media content manager Kames Narayanan, 32, left for a two-week holiday in Europe with friends in late June, travelling to Austria, Italy and Spain. They booked their flights in February.

"The sun rises a lot earlier and sets much later in summer, and we spent many hours under the sun doing activities like hiking and going to the beach. In Singapore, I would never spend time outside in the midday heat unnecessarily. But on holiday, we wanted to make the most of our time," she says.

In Alghero - a city on the north-west coast of Italian island Sardinia - where she and her friends stayed for four days, wildfires broke out near their accommodation. While they did not have to evacuate, Ms Narayanan was concerned about the situation.

"Global warming is very real. My friends used to tell me to avoid travelling to Europe in August because of the summer heat, but now, it's only early July and it's already so hot," she says.

Travellers are also packing differently. On social media, many recommend portable fans, cooling wipes and UV-protective fabrics as must-have items for hot weather in cities like Tokyo and London.

Some are scheduling sightseeing in the early mornings or evenings, when temperatures are more forgiving.

In Europe, Ms Narayanan applied sunscreen regularly and took cold showers in the morning and after activities.

"I also bought electrolytes from the supermarket to add to drinking water, so I stayed hydrated. I always tried to wear a cap out. The heat was a good excuse to have more gelato, too," she adds.

Attractions and tour operators are also ensuring the safety and comfort of guests.

In France, the summit of the Eiffel Tower was temporarily closed after temperatures climbed to dangerous levels. At Tokyo Disneyland, park operators have been boosting water volume on the Splash Mountain ride to cool guests off with a much-needed soaking.

Most tour agencies factor in heat safety - such as by providing air-conditioned transport, frequent water breaks and indoor activity options - but the rising unpredictability of weather is prompting more careful itinerary planning.

TTC's Mr Lim says teams on the ground monitor weather conditions, and are trained to respond quickly and work flexibly to ensure guests remain safe.

The same goes for Scott Dunn.

"As destination experts, we often go on familiarisation trips to gain first-hand insights and do our best to pass on this knowledge to our guests," says Ms Ho.

She cites a trip to Egypt in May, when she experienced extreme weather fluctuations.

"Most guests are prepared for the heat, but they don't realise that once the sun goes down, nights can get quite cold. Even in hot months like June and July, night temperatures can sometimes dip to 25 deg C, so taking along a light jacket for layering is essential," she adds.

"These may seem like small details, but they make a big difference. Having this first-hand local knowledge helps us to advise our guests to be better prepared and to enjoy their holiday whatever the season."