Few agents enable carbon offsetting – poll
Only 12% of leisure travel agents and 14% of business agents are offering customers the ability to offset their carbon footprint.
This is despite around a quarter of both leisure (26.5%) and business (25.6%) agents fielding an increased number of questions from their clients on the environmental impact their travel plans are likely to have.
The results come from an Amadeus snap poll of more than 115 agents.
When asked what their own agencies are doing to address environmental concerns only 12.5% said they are providing clients with the ability to offset their carbon footprint.
Thirty five per cent said they are promoting travel providers and suppliers with clear environmentally-friendly policies and a similar proportion say they are publicly supporting charities that care for the environment, while more than half are offering customers and staff recycling programmes within their premises.
More than 14% of business agents say they are providing clients with the ability to offset their carbon footprint; 46.4% are promoting travel providers and suppliers with clear environmentally-friendly policies; 42.9% are offering customers and staff recycling programmes within their premises and 17.9% are publicly supporting charities that care for the environment.
Amadeus UK & Ireland marketing director Elaine Seeto said: “With the ever growing number of column inches dedicated to climate change, it’s not surprising agents are noticing an increase in the number of environmentally conscious customers.
“As the green debate ‘hots up’, it’s likely that agents will be asked to demonstrate clear action on green issues.”
She said she expected technology to play an increasing role in developing environmentally-friendly solutions.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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