Deutsche bank chief economist Norbert Walter told the World Travel and Tourism Council summit in Dubai: “The US will be a different country in its perception of
environmental issues whoever becomes the next president. It will set the pace on climate change and the business world had better beware.”
The current US administration has refused to agree action on global warming and threatened a legal challenge to European Commission plans to include US airlines in emissions trading from 2012.
But the election in November will see a new president take office in the New Year.
Walter told the WTTC: “The US will then set standards that have implications for tourism. Carbon trading will become important and emissions will be an important component of costs.”
He added: “Climate change won’t go way and will change the world long-term.”
Walter also warned: “The US will probably recover from recession, but not as fast as many analysts believe.”