French resorts fear global warming

PARIS: France fears climate change could erode its appeal as the world's top tourist destination, pointing to the risk of melting snow, water shortages and disappearing beaches in a report published yesterday.

Tourism makes up some six percent of France's gross domestic product thanks to its sunny coast, lavender fields, ski resorts and art-rich cities, but the government report said global warming could change that.

"What kind of tourism can a seaside resort expect that loses its beach? And how much pressure from tourism can a resort that keeps its beach cope with?" said the report by the ministry of the economy's tourism department, which is based on expectations of a 3 to 4 C rise in temperature to 2100.