RISE OF THE COOLCATION

Why we're swapping the stifling heat for more chilled out places

- Jennifer Pinto

IT’S almost summer and Greece is one of several European countries readying itself for the annual influx of tourists. But beyond the typical hotel and pool cleaning routines, the country is also bracing itself for another arrival - one far more foreboding.

Officials announced this week that they were deploying a record 18,000 firefighters, and nearly doubling Greece’s fleet of drones, to tackle the ever-growing threat of wildfires.

“It is clear that conditions are going to be particularly difficult,” climate crisis and civil protection minister Giannis Kefalogiannis told reporters after nationwide training on Thursday. “We will all go to battle.”

Authorities said the threat of climate-driven wildfires was “realistic”, following weeks of drought. March was the hottest on record in Europe, while last month was the second-warmest April ever, according to the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service.

Now, forecasters are predicting June will be hotter than normal for southern Europe... and it hasn’t escaped the notice of British holidaymakers.

Some 80% of travellers polled said they intended to shun traditional European destinations they believe will be too hot to visit within the next five years, according to research by travel insurance company InsureandGo.

Greece (48%), Turkey (45%), and Spain (44%) came out as the countries most at risk of being knocked off the summer holiday list by 2029.

Meanwhile, many holidaymakers are booking holidays in cooler climates across the Nordic and Baltic countries, and even as far afield as Alaska.