Soaring temperatures may signal the decline of summer holidays to the Mediterranean

People sunbathe on a beach in Barcelona. Over the past week, holidaymakers in Spain, Italy and Greece have fled the beach in search of shade and air conditioning. Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP

Repeated heatwaves and growing fears about the climate crisis may spell the beginning of the end for the Mediterranean as a holiday destination, according to a report published by the European Travel Commission.

“Mediterranean destinations have seen a 10% drop in visitors aiming to travel there from last year,” the report says. “On the contrary, destinations like the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Ireland and Denmark are experiencing a surge in popularity. This can be attributed to travellers seeking out less crowded destinations, and milder temperatures.”