United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Travel industry told to fly less
The travel industry was given a stark warning at this week’s ABTA Convention: we need to fly less.
Tim Williamson, customer director for Responsible Travel, said the only way to tackle climate change is to reduce the growth of the aviation industry.
"There’s no way around it. I can’t sugar coat this in any way that makes it more palatable," he said.
"We need to fly less and we need to encourage our customers to fly less. If you’re going to stop the planet heating above 2 degrees, I can’t see how you can do that without stopping flying."
He said the travel industry should ‘get on the front foot’ because regulation is coming.
"We’re in denial that offsets are the answer but they’re not," he said.
"The longer we put it off the more trouble we are going to be in. Legislation will come and you might not like it."
He said consumers might also be the ones driving the changes, through a rising feeling of ‘flight shame’.
"Customers might get there ahead of us. In fact, a survey by UBS Bank found 16% of Brits have already changed their flying habits because of environmental concerns."
He said the industry should encourage a move back to the traditional annual two-week holiday, reducing the number of flights taken each year.
Customers should also be encouraged to travel to places where tourism is welcomed and crucial to the local communities.
Related News Stories:
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
Robert Terrell: A Journey Through BB King’s Influence
Rochelle Hicks: Celebrating Mississippi’s Musical Legacy
Exploring Jacksonville with Katie Mitura: The Flip Side of Florida
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Boy falls to death on cruise ship
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Storm Lilian travel chaos as bank holiday flights cancelled