BACK TO CONTENTS WTM WORLD RESPONSIBLE TOURISM DAY
With climate change arguably the most pressing challenge facing travel and tourism, and industry growth eclipsing reduction in emissions, WTM asked who is responsible for decarbonising travel?
The WTM World Responsible Tourism Day, in association with the UNWTO, hosts the world’s most comprehensive debate and discussion on responsible tourism, inspiring positive change and providing a platform for the industry to address the most key responsible tourism issues. Held on Wednesday 6 November, the opening ceremony was followed by a round-table debate on carbon pollution. Last year’s event debated whether the industry was doing enough to tackle and reduce its carbon reductions – those involved concluded that it was not. With this in mind, discussion this year turned to decarbonising travel and tourism. Climate change remains a major challenge
OPENING CEREMONy
to the industry: the International Civil Aviation Organisation is currently deciding whether to implement an international emissions trading scheme, or whether flights in and out of Europe should fall under an EU regulatory scheme. Speakers Dirk Aguilar, Calasi, Andy Cooper, Thomas Cook Group, Robert McCann, InterContinental Hotels Group, and Jonathon Counsell, Sustainable Aviation, shared their insights into carbon emission reduction and explained the issues surrounding the decarbonisation of aviation and travel.
Speakers identified that while aviation often proved a focal point for carbon pollution it in fact formed less than half of the travel industry’s overall footprint – to properly tackle the problem, the industry as a whole must work to reduce its environmental impact.
The importance of visibility was also raised – if consumers were able to see and compare the carbon efficiency of various flights they would be able to make more informed choices, and to reduce the footprint of their journey. Dirk Aguilar shared research that found 21% of US travellers would like to identify green choices and 57% would select the option with the best price/ fuel efficiency ratio in spite of additional cost implications.
Later in the day delegates had the opportunity to network at a special reception at WTM and again at the 10 year anniversary celebration held at Guoman Tower Hotel near Tower Bridge in the evening.
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6 Nov 2013
Child protection in tourism key focus at 2013 World Responsible Tourism Day. Still much to be done.” @goodwinhj
Private sector tourism sustainability initiatives are commendable, but not enough. We need global agreement
Marthinus van Schalkwyk
Great to see so many responsible tourism businesses at WTM. 184 logo users! More than ever before @WTM_WRTD
Watch the full debate
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