Orbitz recently announced the results of a study that showed that Americans are taking fewer long holidays and more shorter vacations. Ernst Flach of the Canadian Tourism Commission points to this as a possible opportunity for Canadian tourism operators due to their geographic proximity. Two years ago, I would have agreed, but increased awareness of the climate impacts of air travel have me reconsidering. It may be an opportunity for Canada, but is it an opportunity or a threat to the planet's health?
Many countries are seeing an explosion in cheap airfares, a development ideally suited to people with only a few days off and a desire to get from it all. However some people are starting to question whether air travel is a responsible environmental choice at all - witness the highly visible protest over the expansion of Heathrow airport recently. Are travelers on a collision course with the planet's health? I've heard debate for decades over the pros and cons of tourism, but the recent debates calling for an end to all air travel rings alarm bells for me.
Our travel patterns are leading to more environmental degradation yet asking people to stay closer to home can create a real hardship for economies that depend upon long haul tourists. I enjoy travel and I make a living helping tourism operators bring people to remote and rural destinations so the thought that people might give up air travel has me thinking long and hard. And the long term implications for government development policies are staggering! One thing is for sure, it's time for all tourists to become aware of sustainable tourism practices. We need to help our customers understand what constitutes a green travel choice (hopefully there is one) and we need to lobby for initiatives to clean up the skies.
Carol