Update, 12.00: Yes, this is an April Fool – Travel Weekly Blog has a round-up of other tricks from the travel media
Consumers could be forced to restrict the number of holidays they take every year under a new green policy being considered by a group of backbench MPs.
A cross-party committee of MPs is currently debating new legislation dubbed “The one holiday a year” motion. Under the possible legislation people would be forced to take only one two week holiday abroad a year as a way of tackling carbon emissions.
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office would be responsible for monitoring individuals and could force them home from airports if they attempt to leave the country more than once a year. This could be enforced when the controversial ID card scheme is introduced. Business travel would be unaffected by the regulation.
MP Danny Loof for Greenwood who put forward the motion said: “Leisure travel is causing a raft of problems for the environment. People should just stay at home and enjoy themselves. Brits abroad are just binge-drinkers anyway.”
He added: “There is nothing more exciting and rewarding than a two week toil in the garden. It’s the first thing I think of at summer recess.I know when I look up and see aircraft in the sky that I am doing my bit for the environment while others are slowly killing the planet.”
Major travel firms stand to lose millions of pounds if the White Paper goes through with many facing disaster and bankruptcy. High street retailers say they are expecting a boom in the sale of digital televisions if the policy goes through.