MicroClimate-Focused Thermal Comfort Assessment in Coastal Settlements with Tourism Activities

Abstract When selecting travel destinations, tourists often consider thermal comfort conditions alongside personal preferences. The microclimate data and seasonal characteristics of a destination significantly influence tourists’ choices and the duration of their stays. In this study, a thermal comfort analysis was conducted for 15 major tourism centers in the Aegean Region of western Turkey and the Mediterranean Region of southern Turkey, areas renowned for their natural, cultural, historical, sports, and conference tourism potential. The analysis evaluated annual average comfort data, summer and winter conditions, as well as monthly and day-night variations. Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) values, along with temperature, humidity, and wind data for these tourism centers, were analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) tools. According to the findings, the most comfortable locations based on annual average PET values were Alanya (15.4 °C), Silifke (13 °C), and Kaş (12.5 °C). Conversely, the lowest average PET values were recorded in Çeşme (9.5 °C), Dikili (9.6 °C), and Ayvalık (9.9 °C). During summer, the most favorable PET values were observed in Çeşme (17.8 °C), Erdemli (18 °C), and Ayvalık (18.8 °C). For winter, the highest average PET values were found in Alanya (8.1 °C), Silifke (5.3 °C), and Kaş (5.2 °C). This study provides valuable microclimate data and recommendations for tourists and tourism planners in designing short- and long-term activities in these 15 prominent tourism centers in southern and western Turkey.