Does your holiday bring enough benefits to local people to justify the damage to the planet? How do you balance the vital economic role of tourism with the looming spectre of global warming? What would happen to holiday destinations in the developing world if tourists stopped coming

Tourism Concern’s annual ‘moral maze’ debate will grapple with these contentious issues and explore the relationship between tourism, climate change and development. Arguing against is Sam Clarke, founder and chair of Stop Climate Chaos. Making the case for is Roger Heape, chair of The Travel Foundation and former chief executive of British Airways Holidays. Both will draw on a host of expert witnesses from the transport and development fields as they go head to head to win their case.

The debate will be opened to the floor as the opposing teams pick their way through this moral minefield and attempt to convince the audience of their argument. The audience will be asked to take a vote based on the evidence heard.

Tricia Barnett of Tourism Concern says: “The contribution to climate change caused by flying is forcing us all to rethink how and where we holiday. Some believe that we must simply stop flying, but it’s important to consider where this would leave the many communities in the global South that are heavily dependent on tourism. On the other hand, it is the same communities that are already beginning to bear the brunt of the impacts of global warming. We need to find a way to balance the needs of people and planet, and this debate promises to throw up some interesting thoughts and ideas”.

The event is open to all and will be of interest to everyone who takes a holiday, as well as those working in the tourism industry and the environmental and development fields.

Date: Saturday 4th October 2008
Time: 14.30 �" 17.00
Place: Postgraduate Centre, London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road,
London, N7 8HN

To book a place please contact info@tourismconcern.org.uk or call 020 7133 3330