This paper describes the findings of research commissioned by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) analyzing current applications of weather, climate and ocean data in business planning and decision-making in the recreation and tourism industry. The type of data utilized, its origins, and costs were determined and the need for changes in data type, accessibility, presentation, temporal and spatial resolutions assessed. The research methodology included expert witness interviews with personnel in the recreation and tourism industry and extensive research into the business processes and the economic parameters of the industry.

The ongoing deployment of ocean and satellite-based observing systems has resulted in scientific advances in predictive forecast accuracy and real-time monitoring capabilities, but is not being fully exploited by businesses. It was therefore necessary to identify the key 'drivers' of the recreation and tourism industry that govern how weather and climate information products are used in order to elucidate the existing and future needs for weather, climate and ocean information. Detailed analysis of information flows and case studies within individual businesses aided the assessment of the requirements for specific weather, climate and ocean information products and the form in which these data should be provided.

The research found that detailed weather, climate and ocean information use within the recreation and tourism sector differs for specific applications (including energy management and maintenance of comfort levels), but that "informal" use of data is also widespread. It was also found that the data tends to be better exploited by larger organizations than smaller ones, whose use is mainly casual and intermittent. The 'type' of weather, climate and ocean data used across the sector included: forecast and predicted conditions; historical data, and real-time monitoring. Furthermore, forecast data needed was usually 'event driven' such that the requirement of data at specific temporal scales was in response to prevailing or expected weather conditions.

This study is one of a series of investigations into the use of environmental information in key economic sectors. An assessment of the energy sector was completed in 2000 and work has just commenced on the financial services sector as part of this series.