Weather plays a crucial role in modern holiday planning. Endless rain can quickly ruin a tropical island escape, while unusually warm winters and reduced snowfall can disrupt ski holidays in destinations such as Austria.

The impact of climate change on travel is becoming increasingly clear. News headlines regularly warn of approaching typhoons in the Philippines, the growing effects of El Niño in the Pacific, and scientific evidence that summer seasons are lengthening in cities such as Sydney.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia recently reported that Sydney’s summer season has lengthened by around 50 days since 1990, according to findings published in Environmental Research Letters. Lead author Ted Scott and his team analysed weather data from ten global mid-latitude cities and found that summer had extended by an average of 15 days every decade. Sydney’s warming trend was more than double that of many other cities studied, including Tokyo, Paris, Reykjavík, and St Petersburg.

(Left) A flat lay featuring a vintage "The Endless Summer" surf documentary poster surrounded by travel memorabilia; (Right) The dry, golden Australian outback viewed through the window of a darkened, air-conditioned Indian Pacific train carriage.
(L) The world is getting warmer, creating a sense of endless summer in some regions; (R) Australia’s vast, dry interior is often best explored in air-conditioned comfort aboard the Indian Pacific train. (Images by David Bowden)

Longer summers may appeal to surfers and outdoor enthusiasts, but they also bring challenges. Higher temperatures, bushfires, and extreme weather events can significantly affect travel planning and destination choices.

In tropical north-west Australia, Cable Beach in Broome remains a major attraction, offering swimming, watersports, spectacular sunsets and its famous camel rides.

A line of travellers riding camels along the shoreline of Cable Beach at sunset in Broome, Western Australia.
Sunset camel rides along Cable Beach remain one of Western Australia’s most distinctive travel experiences. (Image by David Bowden)

Australia is not alone in offering exceptional beach holidays, but seasonal timing is becoming increasingly essential. In New Zealand, South Island beaches are best enjoyed during summer, while the Bay of Islands in the North Island offers broader year-round appeal.

A peaceful daytime view of the bayside beach in Russell, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, with small boats floating on still, calm water.
Russell in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands offers scenic beaches away from the main tourist trail. (Image by David Bowden)

Cooler destinations

As global temperatures rise, many Malaysian travellers are reconsidering traditional beach holidays in favour of cooler destinations. Recent Trip.com research indicates a 74 per cent year-on-year increase in searches for cooler destinations since the beginning of 2026, highlighting the rise of the ‘coolcation’.

Popular options include Yunnan, Inner Mongolia, Sapporo, Australia, and New Zealand. These destinations generally involve shorter travel times than traditional European alternatives, an increasingly relevant factor as geopolitical uncertainties affect long-haul travel routes.

Australia’s Snowy Mountains, along with ski destinations such as Mount Buller, are becoming increasingly attractive alternatives to European ski holidays.

The snow-capped mountain resort town of Mount Buller, Victoria, showing alpine architecture and ski slopes during the winter season.
Mount Buller offers accessible skiing within a few hours of Melbourne. (Image by Tourism Victoria)

Even closer to Malaysia, Japan remains highly popular for winter sports, while South Korea and China also offer extensive ski infrastructure. India’s Gulmarg resort in Jammu and Kashmir is an emerging option, although travellers should prepare carefully for altitude-related health risks.

Lush green hilltop countryside in New Zealand with cows grazing in a temperate, cool climate under bright daylight.
Cooler temperate destinations continue to appeal to travellers from tropical regions. (Image by David Bowden)

Travel in a warming world

Climate change is rapidly reshaping global travel patterns, influencing destination choices, transport systems and seasonal travel planning. Asia, home to many of the world’s most sought-after destinations, is particularly vulnerable. Coastal resorts from the Maldives to Phuket and Bali face growing threats from rising sea levels and environmental degradation. With the Maldives averaging just 1.5 metres above sea level, even modest rises pose serious long-term risks to the island nation.

A quiet, empty tropical beach in the Maldives with white sand and turquoise water, illustrating the low elevation of the island nation.
Much of the island nation of the Maldives is barely above the level of the sea. (Image by David Bowden)

Timing matters

Travelling to the Middle East or parts of Africa during peak summer can expose visitors to dangerously high heat levels, while visiting typhoon-prone regions such as the Philippines or Vietnam during storm season can lead to major disruptions in their travel plans.

Several 4WD off-road vehicles driving through a vast, arid desert landscape under extreme summer conditions.
Extreme summer conditions in many regions make seasonal timing essential. (Image by David Bowden)

In Malaysia, monsoon rains can also dramatically affect travel experiences, from island holidays to night markets.

The wet, reflective streets of the Siniawan night market in Malaysia just after a monsoonal downpour, with vendors seen in the background beginning to reset their stalls as the rain clears.
Nothing puts a dampener on a night market like one in Siniawan than a monsoonal downpour. (Image by David Bowden)

Natural calamities

Beyond weather, travellers must also contend with natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, avalanches, bushfires, floods, and tsunamis. Such events have repeatedly altered global tourism patterns, sometimes permanently. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, for example, significantly changed how travellers perceive coastal destinations in affected regions.

A blue and white Tsunami Hazard Zone sign on a coastal road, instructing people to move to higher ground or inland in the event of an earthquake.
The 2004 tsunami reshaped travel perceptions across many coastal regions. (Image by David Bowden)

While forecasting and preparedness have improved, nature remains beyond human control.

As climate patterns continue to evolve, travel is entering a new era in which flexibility, sustainability and preparedness are becoming just as important as the destination itself.

Zafigo Pro Tips: Navigating the new climate reality

The world is changing, and our packing lists and itineraries must follow suit. Here is how to stay ahead of the weather and travel with confidence.

Counter-cyclical timing
Travel during shoulder seasons (the weeks between peak and off-peak). This not only avoids extreme peak-summer heat but also reduces the strain on local infrastructure, making your trip more sustainable.

The climate-ready kit
Prepare for volatile weather by carrying a high-quality, lightweight raincoat and a compact UV-rated umbrella. In a warming world, an umbrella is just as useful for shade as it is for a monsoon downpour.

Health & hydration
Extreme heat increases the risk of dehydration and sunstroke. Carry an insulated, reusable water bottle and electrolyte sachets. If you are exploring high-altitude spots like Gulmarg or Yunnan, allow two days for acclimatisation to avoid altitude sickness.

The digital shadow
Stay informed without the panic. Download local weather apps (like the Bureau of Meteorology for Australia) and use offline maps via Maps.me. Knowing exactly where the nearest indoor shelter or cooling centre is located is a vital safety precaution for solo female travellers.

The flexible itinerary
When travelling with children, always have a Plan B indoor activity. If a heatwave or storm hits, having a pre-saved list of museums, indoor play centres, or cinema times keeps the holiday moving without exposing little ones to extreme conditions.

All photos are by and courtesy of the writer, David Bowden, unless otherwise stated.