Sustainable Tourism

The main UK and EU Government focus in this area is on aviation emissions and potential fuel taxation - see Aviation Taxes.

The EC has published its first draft European Sustainable Tourism Strategy covering employment practices, transport, eco-labelling, and ways to maximise benefits and minimise adverse impacts of tourism. While there is currently no intention that this will have a legal base, there is a possibility that it could develop into regulation – particularly driven by an employment rights agenda.

ABTA’s Position

ABTA supports the UK industry Sustainable Aviation Strategy which includes backing for entry into an EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) by 2012 and short-term initiatives such as carbon offset programmes. In September 2007 ABTA launched Reduce My Footprint allowing individuals and businesses to calculate and offset their carbon footprints, increase consumer awareness and reduce the impacts of travel and tourism by improving benefits for destination economies.

ABTA is represented on the EC Tourism Sustainability Group and is closely monitoring the likely outcome and the potential for future regulation.

Last updated: 8 April 2008