ABTA and the Association of Independent Tour Operators have joined forces to launch a new carbon emissions programme.
The Reduce My Footprint scheme, already backed by both Advantage and Worldchoice, will provide information for customers on carbon offsetting as well as a carbon calculator allowing consumers to work out the cost of offsetting their trips.
They can then choose how much to pay, with 50% of the payment going to Government-approved emission reductions schemes, 30% to the sustainable tourism charity Travel Foundation and the remainder spent on independently-audited emission reduction projects.
AITO chairman Derek Moore said: “At a time when many consumers are wanting to act responsibly when they travel, but feel confused as to which of the many schemes available they should support, it is a major step forward to offer them this new website, backed by ABTA and AITO.”
ABTA head of business development and consumer affairs Keith Richards added: “We hope that the Government will see Reduce My Footprint as just one of the tools the travel industry is voluntarily promoting and so won’t feel the need to tax people out of aircraft.”
Meanwhile ABTA head of policy and communications David Marshall joined Richards this week in a fringe meeting at the Labour conference in Bournemouth to debate the motion Sustainable Tourism: Flying – Friend or Foe? with Friends of the Earth representatives.