Tourism 2023, the new coalition looking at the future sustainability of the travel industry, will not just deal with green issues, revealed ABTA head of development Andy Cooper.
Tourism 2023 is an initiative funded by ABTA, TUI Travel, Thomas Cook, DEFRA. Co-operative Travel Group, British Airways, Carnival UK and and the Travel Foundation. Working with sustainable development charity Forum for the Future, its aim is to look at a 15-year blueprint for the travel industry.
Cooper admitted the travel industry has in the past been focused on the short term while this new initiative will look at a “real macro level about where the world is going to be.”
He added: “It is not just about green issues. It’s about what the future structure of the industry will be.”
The blueprint will look at issues ranging from the reduction in oil supply, rising sea levels and lack of water supplies. However, no details have been revealed on how the new initiative will act on its findings.
A video address by The Prince of Wales will launch the debate on the 15-year plan for the industry at the ABTA Convention in October.