Are you a binge-flyer?
15.05.2007 -17 °C
Mark Ellingham, the guy who started Rough Guides has come out with some very strong criticisms of what he dubs "binge-flying". Strong words from a guy that gets his bread&butter from the travel industry.
Balancing all the positives and negatives, I'm not convinced there is such a thing as a 'responsible' or 'ethical' holiday.
His objection is to "binge-flying", where people make as many as 10 short trips in a year, with obviously negative effects on the environment. Personally, he's limited himself to 1 long-haul and 2-3 shorter trips each year, arguing the benefits of tourism.
The social and economic impact of travelling can be very positive, with many countries relying on economies that would completely fall apart without tourism... In addition, there are lots of countries who nurture their environment purely because of the tourists who come to experience it.
Good point, but then we ought to pick destinations where we know our tourist dollars will be spent in a way that has positive social and environmental effects. Perhaps I'm a pessimist, but that seems like a pretty tough challenge for the average consumer to work out.
How has awareness of climate change and global warming challenged you to change the way you travel?
Posted by dr.pepper 14:21 Archived in Air Travel
It seems to me he has a case of "passing the buck". It's always possible to find some individual who is having a more negative impact on the environment.
The real challenge though is to ensure that you don't know anyone having a more positive impact.
His points regarding the benefits of tourism are valid. But what good is it for some small island to be looking after their trees when they might be flooded in 30 years because of all the flying? Or how is going to benefit the polar bears if you decide you need to fly to go pay them one last visit?
15.05.2007 by Peter