The Variation of UTCI with the Background of Climate Change and Its Implications for Tourism in a Complicated Climate Region in Western China

Abstract

Tourism plays an important role in Kashgar’s socio-economic development. Climate change has a profound impact on the development of tourism. However, basic research on climate change and its impact on tourism remains insufficient in Kashgar. Using the atmospheric reanalysis data ERA5 and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI) model, climate change and climate comfort were evaluated from 1979 to 2018. The annual mean UTCI was −2.3 °C, i.e., at the coolish level, with moderate cold stress, illustrating that Kashgar’s tourism climate was weak. The obvious increase in the annual mean air temperature led to an obviously increased UTCI and a lengthened comfortable period, which provides possibilities to exploit an attractive climate and the potential for tourism. The poor climate conditions imply that the development of Kashgar’s tourism should depend more on the diversification and uniqueness of tourism products and the quality of tourism services. Therefore, the development of increased tourism products and the expansion of tourism regions, in the context of improving climate conditions, were focused on. We expect this case study to provide a reference for consumer travel decision-making and a necessary scientific basis for the planning and implementation of a tourism-based national promotional strategy in western China.