With over ten years experience in the eco-tourism industry our principal consultant Steve Andrew brings wealth of understsanding and concern to the industry to assist it to prepare for climate change.
The tourism industry is a very socially repsonsive and sensitive industry that is easily effected by environmental concerns. The need for companies to adopt sustainable practices is evident in the rise in eco-tourism products in Australia and adopting climate change responses will be another requirement for successfull businesses.
Along with the concerns for the devastating effects climate change can have on our major iconic attractions (Great Barrier Reef, Kakadu etc) there is an immediate need to arrest the negative concern that some international travellers have in perceiving
Australia as a rogue nation compared to other Kyoto Compliant countries. Our governments non compliance disadvantages us from attracting the 'green', eco-tourist, as they may head to closer more sympathetic destinations.
The issue of carbon miles is also of great concern and the need to pull back some ground and gain the confidence of travellers that Australia is concerned about its environment is important. Individual operators and associations can be doing their bit for climate change by adopting climate change policies and marketing it to their consumers and distribution channels.
Other significant operators such as Intrepid Travel have undertaken a policy of carbon neutrality and the benefits to business in persuing this path may reflect in oversea's wholesalers having preference for product that are carbon neutral. When a major operator embarks on a carbon strategy they soon show preferences in dealing with other businesses that have adopted similar strategies.
To assist the tourism industry we have devised some industry specific audit trails for vehicle tour operators, accommodation providers and theme park attractions.
Those tourism businesses that stay on top of climate challenge issues are likely to be the ones that benefit and prosper as customer priorities change.
Recent News from ATEC
ATEC Issue 146 - November 16, 2007
London calling - "get green or get out"
Your MD has been in London this week for World Travel Market and in-particular the Minister's Meeting of the UN World Tourism Organisation and the inaugural "World Responsible Tourism Day". Amid all the noise and posturing at both sessions, a couple of clear things stood out. Firstly, aviation remains the cause celebre of the green left, including a new "responsible tourism" industry. When a room of 300 mostly British travel agents, guide publishers and NGOs were asked to show hands (by the BBC MC) if they thought airfares should increase to discourage flying, about 90% of the hands shot up. This will give great succour to those in the WTO who agree, and dress their intentions up under the jargon of "demand management".
However, the clearest statement to cut through at the WTO meeting came from one of the UKs largest mainstream wholesalers, whose principal stated that within five years they will drop all product that does not have demonstrable environmental policies and accreditation - and said they have to be of a high standard and not just "green-wash".
The lesson for ATEC members is that our distribution partners are driving rapid change in these areas and we need to keep up. We'll be discussing these issues at Meeting Place and Symposium and, importantly, we are working to provide ATEC members with benchmarking and off-set products that are transparent, cost-effective and independently approved.
Matt Hingerty
Managing Director
ATEC
