Recent calls urge destinations to clearly justify the implementation of green taxes, which can significantly increase the costs of holidays.
- At a recent panel discussion, the EasyJet holidays boss highlighted the pressing issue of unjustified green taxes affecting holiday affordability.
- The travel industry is encouraged to collaborate with destinations to ensure a strategic approach to sustainability and avoid hindering demand.
- Concerns are raised over the perception of sustainable holidays being more expensive, with calls to break this misconception.
- To support sustainability, there is a need for clarity on how green tax revenues are utilized, ensuring they benefit specific environmental projects.
In a recent panel debate at Abta’s Travel Convention in Greece, key figures in the travel sector emphasised the importance of transparency and strategic planning when imposing green taxes. Garry Wilson, the head of EasyJet holidays, warned that these taxes could add substantial amounts to the cost of family holidays, potentially dampening demand. He argued that destinations should visibly link taxes to specific sustainability projects to justify these added costs.
Wilson pointed out that while the introduction of green taxes aims to promote environmental sustainability, the lack of clarity on their allocation risks undermining consumer confidence. “We have got a problem with that,” he stated, advocating for a long-term strategy to manage these costs. He stressed that inconsistency in how destinations implement taxes could weaken demand unless they are committed to genuine environmental causes.
The discussion moved towards the collective responsibility of the travel industry to address overtourism and the perceived costliness of sustainable holidays. Wilson argued against the myth that sustainable tourism is inherently more expensive, stating businesses should adopt sustainable practices to reduce overall costs. This could include measures like energy-efficient policies, which could lower operational expenses and attract repeat customers.
Mark Tanzer, the chief executive of Abta, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to overtourism. He emphasised the role of the tourism sector in communicating sustainability standards to consumers, suggesting it is crucial to raise awareness among holidaymakers about the environmental credentials of their destinations.
Furthermore, Derek Jones from Not Just Travel added that first-hand experiences of climate change during holidays can profoundly affect travellers’ choices. This underscores the need for the travel industry to engage more actively with consumers on environmental issues, helping them make informed decisions.
The travel sector must ensure green taxes are transparent and beneficial to instil trust and promote sustainable tourism.
