Fewer tourists: more money carbon guru says

Full day masterclass set for September big Vision discount for booking now

Last week’s sustainable tourism masterclass had the usual wide range of contributors and subjects.

Richard Hammond opened by establishing his commitment to the fact that however good and ethical long haul holidays are – they can’t be called ‘green’ simply by the fact that the amount of greenhouse gases excreted in a long haul journey put them out of the sustainable picture.

Richard has been writing about green travel and tourism for many years and set up the Green Traveller portal in 2006  http://www.greentraveller.co.uk/ his presentation included many insights including the massive opportunities and enormous current investments in rail transportation.

Mark Watson, in his first presentation as the new director of Tourism Concern emphasized his commitment to make the organization as big and effective a membership-backed voice for ethical tourism as his previous organization Stonewall became for Gay Rights. "Nothing is black and white but tourism can be a force for good. We feel that there can be no sustainability if there is no social benefit" Mark said.

Professor Stefan Gossling admitted that climate change had slipped down the agenda as he ran the group through the current situation. Recent surveys have indicated that only one third of clients would take personal responsibility responsibility for their climate-related actions. He put this down to the psychology of denial. Notable current opportunities and successes included carbon labeling, but the industry seems to prefer dealing with the effects of global warming to mitigating it. He felt that peak oil will change the game in the same way as it has previously – when oil cost $140 a barrel in 2008 airlines went bust.

In his view the optimum approach to tourism climate impacts would be to tax fuel. In answer to questions he said that poor people suffer disproportionately from climate change and don’t usually benefit from tourism. Recent unpublished research had indicated that tourists spent less money than  they expected and in his view tourism revenue optimization presented a golden opportunity to achieving a sustainable tourism industry.

In a fascinating interview and discussion then took place between Manda Brookman of CoasT One Planet Tourism Network  Rachel McCaffery ex Virgin Holidays Head of Responsible Tourism and now principal of Green Case Consulting  and Jennifer Blouet of StreetSmart and SleepSmart  Socially responsible tourism was discussed in depth.

A great presentation from John Firrell drew on his vast depth of experience of managing hotel and hospitality services around the world and his current occupation as director of the Considerate Hoteliers Association – to chart the course of sustainability as a business asset in hotels.

As usual a wide-ranging discussion by each and every participant considered all aspects of sustainable tourism today.

The sustainable meals provided by the Lancaster Hotel were voted "sensational" by all masterclass participants as was the Lancaster service and, during the day the group enjoyed a tour of the hotel to show just why it has won so many sustainable tourism awards. Not forgetting a visit to the Lancaster’s bees.

And the day finished at an iconic fish and chip restaurant that is now a member of the Sustainable Restaurants Association.

Participants included attendees from ABTA – The Travel Association, Sustainable Travel International, Green Tourism Business Scheme, Innovation Norway, Discover Ltd,, FourBGB, Our-Land, and the broadcast media.

The next full day intensive  sustainable tourism masterclass is scheduled for 14 September in central London cost £500 per person including all meals. Masterclasses are restricted to a maximum participation of 25 attendees. Early booking discount of 50% is currently available.

Book now to avoid disappointment, email [email protected] with subject "50% discount Sept masterclass"

The Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 is supported by: ABTA – The Travel Association, ITB Berlin, Discover Ltd.,Club Med, Innovation Norway, Thomas Cook Ltd., FourBGB, Cape Town Tourism, Bord Failte, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Green Tourism Business Scheme, MCI Business School Innsbruck

Valere Tjolle
Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2012 Special Offers HERE