Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
successor to Kyotomakes it abundantly clear that spaceship Earth has a limited capacity to sustain life as
we know it
s
population. Thus, policymakers in tourismmust nowacknowledge that development and behavior in the
future will have to be compatible with the environment. At the same time, however, many believe that
tourism is among the better alternatives for land use. Although such compatibility is laudable, it must
also be stressed that other areas exist where compatibility between tourism and the environment is
perhaps not so obvious. For example, the use of fossil fuels for transportation and their polluting effect
cannot be denied. As a consequence, the sustainability of tourism in the long term may be questioned
unless alternative nonpolluting energy sources become available.
In this regard, certain high-pro le authors 8 have been particularly vehement in their criticismof travel
as a major contributor to carbon emissions and global warming
and that de nitive action needs to be taken to change the behavior of the world
'
to the point of even discouraging love
miles (travel to visit family and friends). In recognition of the highly negative impact such authors are
having on the image of air travel, the leaders of the world
s airlines have decided to go on the offensive in
the global warming debate, with a worldwide marketing campaign, new fuel ef ciency targets, and a
boldly stated goal to operate a zero-emissions
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aircraft within 50 years. 9 One of the most
promising steps in the achievement of this goal is Boeing
''
green
''
'
is Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research
project
which has developed the SUGAR-Volt design for a passenger aircraft that uses a hybrid electric
engine. The aircraft would take off using conventional
jet engines. But in
cruise flight, it would switch to electric engines, reducing the fuel burn by more than 70 percent and the
total energy used in flight by more than half. It would have fewer emissions and be quieter as well. 10
As per a report by the European Travel Commission, 11
though much more ef cient
the following impacts of climate change
should be anticipated:
& To the extent that climate change does occur, it could lead to the loss of many destinations whose
appeal depends on their natural environment.
& Many low-lying coastal regions are at risk from rising sea levels
as is already evident in the case of
Venice.
Climate change may also bring about increases in trips outside the summer season, and growing
popularity of summer destinations during the traditional winter period can be anticipated.
&
The cost of maintaining basic
resources for tourism, such as beaches and national parks,
will increase. Ski resorts will have an increased need for arti cial snow, and marginal skiing areas
may disappear.
''
natural
''
&
As governments seek to limit greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing likelihood of climate/
emission or carbon taxes being imposed. This will, in turn, increase the prices of transport and
accommodation.
&
The growing awareness of the finite nature of most natural products, and the need to conserve
them, will place a premium on the remaining
&
''
unspoiled
''
destinations.
The rising demand for ecotourism and nature-based holidays will
increase the number and
&
sophistication of products and destination experience on the market.
& Market activity will need to promote destination sustainability as an aspect of customer
reassurance.
efforts to fix their image as a global villain, a number of travel companies
are embracing the concept of carbon offsets—just as a growing number of critics are questioning the
real impact and viability of this creative accounting scheme.
In addition to the airlines
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Technology
As the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has noted, the world in the year 2020
will be characterized by the penetration of technology into all aspects of life.
It will become
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