607 https://www.staging.ijbed.org/details&cid=607 2026-03-30 This study investigates the impact of heat waves on the redistribution of international tourist flows to sun and beach destinations in Spain, focusing on behavioural changes in travel planning and destination choice. The research aims to assess how extreme weather events, particularly heat waves, influence tourists’ decisions, with implications for the resilience and competitiveness of coastal tourism. A quantitative methodology was employed, using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), to analyse causal relationships among four latent variables: country of origin, tourist destination, type of accommodation, and number of overnight stays. The model was applied to two chronological periods—July 2022 (with a heat wave) and July 2023 (without)—using data from the FRONTUR survey National Statistics Institute (NSI) and climatic records from State Meteorological Agency (SMA). The sample comprised 6,556 international tourists from the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Findings reveal that heat waves significantly influence destination choice and reduce overnight stays, particularly in insular regions such as the Balearic Islands. Tourists from the UK showed a marked decline in travel during heat waves, indicating a shift towards cooler destinations. However, heat waves did not significantly affect the type of accommodation hired. The study confirms that climatic discomfort leads to shorter stays and altered travel behaviour, supporting the emergence of “coolcations” as a growing trend. Practical implications include the need for sun-and-beach destinations to implement climate adaptation strategies to remain competitive. Enhancing accommodation services and promoting thermal comfort can mitigate the negative effects of extreme temperatures. In conclusion, heat waves are a critical factor in shaping tourist behaviour and demand patterns. 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Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2003.08.016  https://www.staging.ijbed.org/cdn/article_file/2026-03-30-14-46-26-PM.pdf Maria-Dolores Sanchez-Sanchez Carmen De-Pablos-Heredero Jose-Luis Montes-Botella heat waves tourism Spain SEM analysis resilience climate sustainability 612 7 0