Climate is an essential resource for tourism, especially for beach, nature and winter sport tourism. The phenomenon of global warming however gravely affects the industry and an increasing number of destinations. In 2003 UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) convened the 1st International Conference on Climate Change and Tourism in Djerba, Tunisia, to help the travel and tourism industry to respond to these issues. That the UNWTO declared climate change a priority issue shows the growing awareness among industry leaders and policymakers that the impacts of global warming pose a serious threat to tourism – one of the world's largest and fastest growing industries, generating over 10.4 per cent of world GDP.