The Tourism Society - People in all the right places

The UN World Tourism Organisation describes tourism as being both a victim and vector of climate change. Destinations in both the developing world and advanced economies are suffering as ocean levels rise, snow fails to fall, and chaotic weather patterns force travellers to dramatically rethink their plans. As the tourism industry contributes to climate change through damaging aviation emissions and high levels of energy usage all along the value chain, it shares a responsibility to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

However, this is a complex subject as tourism is embedded in the collective psyche of advanced economies where it is often considered both a right and a need. Various forms of tourism are an intricate part of poverty alleviation and economic development plans in many destinations. Simple solutions such as banning air travel or other measures aimed at reducing tourism would be disastrous for many countries. There is a sense of urgency by which the industry must face the challenges of climate change head on in terms of mitigation, adaptation, and responding to consumer demand. This interesting discussion will look at recent research conducted by Oxford Brookes University, international case studies, changing traveller and destination behaviours and carbon offsetting.