carbonneutraltourism.co.uk

The Peak District National Park Authority has turned down an application from the National Trust to errect a wind turbine to help supply electricity to White Edge Lodge holiday cottage.

Glasgow Caledonian University were commissioned in 2007 to assess whether Government initiatives for wind farms in Scotland are likely to have an economic impact on Scottish tourism.   The report can be read here.

Tourists/travellers are now taking holidays to destinations which are under threat of disappearing.  Read more here.

The Kangeroo Valley in New South Wales is aiming to become the first carbon neutral tourist destination in Australia. The Kangaroo Valley Tourism Association has also produced a carbon neutral resource kit.  Watch a short clip on YouTube.

Foresight is published monthly by VisitBritain and in the July 2006 issue there is an article on wind farms and the visitor economy (you need to scroll to the last article in that month’s issue).  A visitor centre at the first commercial wind farm in Cornwall attracted some 60,000 visitors during its first year of operation and a further 260,000 in the following seven years (though the visitor centre did close).

Consumer demand, in part, is leading operators to push their environmental credentials to the forefront of thier promotional and marketing strategies.  Look at Thomson Holiday and Vail Resorts.

Scottish Natural Heritage have published a report ‘Transport Tourism and the Environment in Scotland‘ which examines transport used by tourist and impacts on the environment.

If temperate changes as predicted occur summers in southern Europe could be unbearably hot for UK tourists which could encourage more domestic holidays to be taken in the UK (especially if transport costs also increase).  This could lead to a revival of traditional UK seaside resorts. Though the supporting infrastructure in the UK (roads, accommodation etc) would need to be improved.

“Youth travellers care about the environment. They are looking for solutions that will help them balance their passion for travel, with their desire to minimise the environmental impact of their travel. The youth travel industry can provide young travellers with solutions to this dilemma. As part of WYSE Travel Confederation’s ‘Climate Change and Youth Travel’ Initiative, a series of ready-made tools and templates have been designed to assist specialist youth travel organisations in educating customers and providing solutions. By using these tools, your organisation can make a difference and help young travellers answer the burning ‘questions of conscience’ confronting our industry and our world.” Click here to read the guide.

A really interesting set of notes which accompany a presentation by David Key a director of Footprint Consulting.