07 October 2008

Holidaymakers rate environment highly - ABTA poll

The environmental and social impact of holidays is important to a majority of people, according to a new ABTA poll.

A total of 83% said it was important that their holiday should not damage the environment.

Within this, 36% said it was ââ¬Åâœvery importantââ¬~ and 47% said it was ââ¬Åâœfairly importantââ¬~ while 12% felt it was ââ¬Åâœnot very importantââ¬~ and four per cent said it was ââ¬Åâœnot at all importantââ¬~.

Fifty four per cent said they were interested in finding out more about the local environmental and social issues in their chosen resort, before they booked a holiday. 

Seventy seven per cent of holidaymakers do believe that it is important that local people benefit from the tourism in their area, while 83% believe that it is important that their holiday should involve trying the local cuisine and experiencing local culture.

The results of the Ipsos MORI poll of 702 people emerged at the ABTA Travel Convention in Gran Canaria.

ABTA head of business development and consumer affairs Keith Richards described  climate change as ââ¬Åâœthe biggest challenge the industry facesââ¬~.

He said: ââ¬ÅâœThe scientific evidence is compelling. In the last seven years we have seen changes that would normally take 1,000 years and that has consequences for every environment around the globe.

ââ¬ÅâœA number of industries are streets ahead of us, but the travel industry has taken a lead on responsible tourism. Often people are concerned that taking the responsible route will be more expensive.

ââ¬ÅâœABTAââ¬â¢s role is to help deliver the tools to mitigate the negative impact that travel can do, and improve the benefits.

ââ¬ÅâœWe now have Reduce My Footprint, the Travelife Sustainability Store and the Travel Foundation.

ââ¬ÅâœThe planning strategy work that we are doing with the industry - Tourism 2023 - will also help us to plan a more sustainable industry. We have designed these tools so that it will be easier and more cost effective for consumers and travel companies to make the right choices.ââ¬~

by Phil Davies 

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