Climate and Sustainable Tourism in João Pessoa: A Comparative Study with Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

This study aims to analyze how the climatic conditions in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil, influence sustainable tourism, with a specific focus on Climate–Tourism/Transfer–Information–Scheme (CTIS), Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET), and rainfall patterns. It also compares these aspects with those of Salvador and Rio de Janeiro to identify climatic patterns, local challenges, and adaptive strategies relevant to the growing tourism context, based on hourly and monthly climate data from 2014 to 2024. The results show that João Pessoa presents a more stable thermal regime with fewer extreme heat events, yet consistently higher daytime PET values, especially between 9:00 and 15:00, throughout the year. The city also experiences a greater frequency of moderate-to-heavy rainfall during its defined wet season (April to July), often influenced by low-predictability atmospheric systems such as Easterly Wave Disturbances (EWDs). CTIS results confirm high climatic suitability for tourism and recreation during the dry season but reduced suitability during the rainy season. These findings suggest that integrating climate adaptation strategies into tourism planning, such as diversifying attractions beyond sun-and-beach tourism and improving real-time climate communication, may help reduce the impact of seasonal variability on visitor experience.