Carl Michel, the chief executive, said it is the "responsibility of tour operators to instigate changes in holidaymakers' behaviour". The company's adventure holiday division, Explore, currently has an option on its website for customers to choose carbon offsetting when booking their holiday at a cost of around £40 for a long-haul flight. But Mr Michel, who was formerly responsible for marketing and strategy at British Airways, said the intention was to make carbon offsetting a fixed part of the price.
"More and more people are feeling guilty about flying and it is inevitable that this will lead to widespread changes in the way we think of holidays," Mr Michel said. "The idea of a weekend trip to Vienna to go shopping, which was unthinkable twenty years ago due to the cost, will again become a thing of the past. The travel industry is going to have to recognise that there will be more societal changes taking place and they will have to adapt their products accordingly."
Thanks to the rise of the low-cost, no-frills carrier, the rise in the price of a holiday or a weekend break has been out of all proportion to that of other goods over the past five years, he said. "There is a need for rebalancing," he added.
Subscribe
Subscribe to IEMA's newsletters to receive timely articles, expert opinions, event announcements, and much more, directly in your inbox.
Posted on 26th February 2007
Latest Posts
-
IEMA focus on skills, adaptation and nature-based solutions in CCC report
- 18th July 2024 -
Labour's plan for economic growth must mean green growth – but there is a green skills gap looming
- 5th July 2024 -
As Labour plans to “slash red tape” for economic growth, YouGov poll finds 3 in 5 people want to increase public involvement in planning system
- 28th June 2024 -
Medtronic agrees partnership with IEMA to accelerate skills and standards in sustainability
- 21st June 2024 -
Landmark climate impact ruling for fossil fuel projects, cites IEMA guidance
- 20th June 2024 -
IEMA sets out 18 policy asks for the next Government
- 3rd June 2024