Direct action threats by airport protestors ‘irresponsible’
Environmentalists will be branded as “mischief makers” if they go ahead with threatened mass driect action at Heathrow this weekend, according to the Association of Independent Tour Operators.
AITO’s responsible tourism advisor Dick Sisman said: “Threatening to disrupt activities at the airport and cause travel chaos is an irresponsible method of highlighting environmental issues.
“Thousands of people could have their holidays cancelled and workers will be unable to travel to their place of employment. This simply means that environmentalists are all branded as mischief makers.
“The public needs further education regarding the environment but causing consumers unwarranted stress and heartache will only entrench views and cause them to switch off when rational arguments are made.”
The organisation says there are ways for the public to help the environment, such as booking with a responsible tour operator which supports local environmental schemes, offsetting carbon emissions, packing less to reduce weight and staying longer at destinations visited.
AITO supports the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service and said many of its members offset all their staff travel and encourage their customers to do likewise.
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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