Global warming's threat to the existence of the exotic resorts
and beaches tourists crave has not dented holidaymakers' appetites
for pollution-producing, long-haul trips, experts said at Berlin's
annual tourism fair.
In his opening speech to the International Tourism Exchange fair
earlier this week, German Economy Minister Michael Glos said
climate change was a serious problem for the future of the travel
industry.
A Deutsche Bank report demonstrated how the industry would suffer
if the effects of global warming, including rising temperatures and
water shortages, hit popular holiday destinations such Spain and
Australia.
According to United Nations' research, tourism accounts for five
percent of world carbon dioxide emissions, which scientists have
linked to rising atmospheric temperatures.
But exhibitors at the fair say tourists so far are not that worried
about the environmental cost of their holidays.
"There is heightened awareness, but does that mean people are
willing to change their approach to travel? The answer is no," said
Geoff Buckley, managing director of Australia's tourism
board.
Online travel agency Expedia says it has seen no decline in the
number of people taking long-haul flights and that climate worries
are a peripheral concern for travellers.
"People are concerned about climate change but they don't want to
change their habits," said Expedia spokeswoman Claudia Ressel, who
added that holidaymakers were happier to contribute to
carbon-offsetting schemes rather than travel less.
Two of Germany's largest tourism groups, Thomas Cook and TUI said
they will do more to promote carbon-offsetting schemes for
customers booking flights.
But interest in such voluntary schemes, where others are paid to
cut emissions on the airlines' behalf, has so far been small.
Another area that has failed to take off yet is eco-tourism in
which people opt for train over air travel and make shorter
journeys, said Klaus Liedtke, editor of National Geographic
Deutschland magazine.
German tourism companies say business is booming, despite an
expected slowdown in national economic growth, with the tourism
industry expected to grow by three percent to four percent this
year.
And travel groups argue exotic destinations in developing countries
would take a severe economic hit if they were to fall out of favour
with tourists.
"Tourism is an easy target," said Nancy Cockerell from the Travel
Business Partnership consultancy. "But it's both the culprit and
the victim."
