Operator introduces ‘carbon offset trips’

An operator has changed itineraries on almost 40 of its holidays to ensure they become ‘carbon offset trips’.

Australian firm Intrepid Travel will use 2009 to monitor the effectiveness with the view to including the cost of carbon offsetting into all of its trips in 2010.

The long haul operator, which aims to become carbon neutral by the same date, has calculated the most significant carbon emission sources from 38 trips, including carbon emissions of the ground transport, accommodation and waste in an effort to get a thorough assessment of the greenhouse gas impact and to reduce emissions where possible. 

Any remaining carbon emissions will be offset with carbon credits from energy efficiency and clean energy projects in India, China and Peru purchased from offset provider The CarbonNeutral Company.

The ‘carbon offset trips’ were selected from different regions and across each holiday style, including active, family adventure and ‘comfort’ holidays.

The company has made changes to its itineraries to decrease carbon emissions where possible. 

It has also worked with suppliers such as hotel owners to undertake environmentally friendly initiatives such as placing water coolers in hotel lobbies so that travellers can refill their water bottles.

The sustainability measures follow a poll earlier this year of more than 900 clients worldwide about their attitudes towards climate change and travel.

More than 78% said they would be willing to pay $1 per day of travel to offset the carbon emissions from the ground travel component of a trip.

The average cost of this component of the new ‘carbon offset trips’ is less than 50 cents per day, per passenger.

Additionally, 94% of respondents said they believe it is ‘critically important’ or ‘somewhat important’ for the operator to have climate change as one of its commitments to social responsibility.

CEO and co-founder Darrell Wade said: “We want to be part of the solution rather than the problem.

“We have always sought to be respectful of the people and places we travel to and have been committed to responsible travel since day one. Launching our new ‘carbon offset trips’ is a natural extension of this philosophy.”

Since announcing its intention to become carbon neutral in 2006 it has assessed the carbon emissions of its head office operations in Melbourne, retail stores across Australia as well as emissions created from associated companies such as those in the UK, Thailand, Peru, Kenya and New Zealand to asses and work on also reducing its corporate emissions. 

As part of the scheme, Intrepid includes the cost of offsetting flights in every quote it provides to customers.

by Phil Davies