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What are some visitors saying

What are visitors saying about Climate Change?

From a study of UK and German travellers' propensity to adapt their travel intentions in response to rising awareness of climate change issues, there is significant consumer concern about the environment, and this is beginning to affect the way consumers behave with regard to environmental issues in day to day life. However, currently this concern is not impacting long haul travel decisions. For the moment consumers in these markets are attracted by the promise of an experience of a lifetime. According to the study results however, 'there is a dissonance between attitudes and behaviours for a sizable segment (41% in the UK and 44% in Germany), and this is an unstable position. The potential threat is that behaviour will eventually fall into line with attitudes relating to climate change and the environment, and impact more directly on destination choice.' (instinct and reason consultants, for Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, May 2008).

Tourism Australia added three questions to their Brand Tracking Survey (BTS) in August 2000 to gain consumer attitudes to climate change. The questions covered:

Issues of "general concern" (including climate change)
Issues in relation to planning a holiday (including climate change)
Likelihood of changing behaviour in light of environmental degradation