Dagmar Lund-Durlacher & Xavier Matteucci Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management MODUL University Vienna Am Kahlenberg Wien, Austria Tourism professionals‘ attitudes towards climate change and their strategies to respond to global warming

Overview This paper discusses three aspects of the interrelationship between tourism and climate change: the perception of the problems related to global warming by tourism professionals their suggestions concerning possible actions that can be taken to reduce tourism's impacts on the world climate the actual actions implemented by their organizations

Background Within the context of tourism and leisure, air travel is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and will significantly contribute to global warming and therefore affect many destinations negatively (WWF, 2001). Although numerous studies have focused on public or tourists’ attitudes towards climate change (see Henry, 2000; Becken, 2004 and 2007; Norgaard, 2006; Gössling et al., 2006; Gössling and Peeters, 2007), tourism managers’ perceptions and their strategies have been under-researched thus far. A previous study on tourism professionals’ attitudes towards climate change at the ITB Fair in Berlin (Lund-Durlacher et al., 2007) revealed that there was a high awareness of climate change among tourism professionals and that strong impacts on tourism were expected. On the other hand, tourism's contribution to that problem was seen as only moderate.

Methodology & expected outcomes Methodology : Last March, data were collected at the ITB Fair in Berlin. A representative sample of 300 exhibitors was randomly selected and participants were asked to fill in questionnaires to gain an initial understanding of their knowledge and willingness to mitigate their impacts from travel. Expected outcomes : Informed by the work of Lund-Durlacher et al. (2007), this study makes the case that tourism managers at the destination level fail to take significant actions against the threat of global warming and advocate softer solutions instead.

Personal knowledge about global warming  63% believe that they are well informed about global warming.  The level of knowledge is highest among German exhibitors, whereas respondents from Asia/Oceania stated a lack of information.  Regarding the type of business, the highest level of information is seen among tour operators/travel agencies.  63% believe that they are well informed about global warming.  The level of knowledge is highest among German exhibitors, whereas respondents from Asia/Oceania stated a lack of information.  Regarding the type of business, the highest level of information is seen among tour operators/travel agencies. „How would you rate your level of knowledge about climate change?“ Source: ITB Survey 2008

Impacts of global warming on tourism „If yes, do you expect more positive or more negative impacts in your professional field of work or in the country where you work?“  The majority of the interviewees believe that tourism will be affected by climate change.  Respondents from Africa and Asia/Oceania show stronger concern.  The majority of the interviewees believe that tourism will be affected by climate change.  Respondents from Africa and Asia/Oceania show stronger concern.  The largest part of the interviewees see both positive and negative effects of global warming.  Compared to 2007, more interviewees see positive effects, especially German exhibitors.  Tour operators expect more negative effects.  The largest part of the interviewees see both positive and negative effects of global warming.  Compared to 2007, more interviewees see positive effects, especially German exhibitors.  Tour operators expect more negative effects. „Do you believe that tourism as a whole will be affected by climate change?“ Source: ITB Survey 2008

Tourism‘s contribution to climate change „Do you believe that tourism contributes to climate change?“  3 out of 4 interviewees believe that tourism contributes to global warming.  Strong contribution is seen by respondents from Germany and Asia/Oceania, Africans see less contribution.  DMOs see a stronger contribution than average, tour operators and hospitality businesses see less contribution.  3 out of 4 interviewees believe that tourism contributes to global warming.  Strong contribution is seen by respondents from Germany and Asia/Oceania, Africans see less contribution.  DMOs see a stronger contribution than average, tour operators and hospitality businesses see less contribution. Source: ITB Survey 2008

Suggestions to reduce tourism‘s impact on the world climate  90% of the interviewees made suggestions, more than in 2007 (only 2/3) „If yes, what could be done to avoid, reduce or mitigate those impacts?“ Source: ITB Survey 2008

Own actions to contribute to climate protection „Have you taken any ation yourself in your field of work to contribute to climate protection?“  Slightly more than half of the interviewees have taken any actions to combat global warming.  Germans and Europeans have taken action above average.  Hospitality businesses have taken the most actions (62%), whereas DMOs have contributed the least (42%).  Slightly more than half of the interviewees have taken any actions to combat global warming.  Germans and Europeans have taken action above average.  Hospitality businesses have taken the most actions (62%), whereas DMOs have contributed the least (42%). Source: ITB Survey 2008

Actions undertaken for climate protection  Half of the interviewees introduce measures concerning the environment friendly management (eg. reducing use of resources or re-using resources).  One out of four interviewees uses more environment friendly means of transport (eg. less driving, carsharing, public transport, less flights, video/teleconferences...).  Half of the interviewees introduce measures concerning the environment friendly management (eg. reducing use of resources or re-using resources).  One out of four interviewees uses more environment friendly means of transport (eg. less driving, carsharing, public transport, less flights, video/teleconferences...). Source: ITB Survey 2008

Compensation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions „Have you ever voluntarily compensated your greenhouse gas emissions when travelling?“  Allmost one third of the interviewees have never heard about CO2- compensation.  Only 9% of the interviewees have ever compensated green house gas emissions. „Have you heard about carbon offsetting or the compensation of greenhouse gas emissions?“ Source: ITB Survey 2008

Conclusion Tourism professionals are well aware of global warming issues. Only poor measures to protect the climate were identified, only few pragmatic initiatives. Findings in 2008 show only minor changes to the previous year, respondents seem to have a sharper picture of global warming issues than in Substantial information as well as consulting is needed among tourism professionals, particularily among non- Europeans. The willingness for climate protection exists: sensible solutions to reduce the ecological impact which are accepted by the customer have to be developed.

Climate friendly tourism products? Change to more environment friendly means of transport. Climate friendly business and destination management. Compensation of greenhouse gases applying high standards. For short trips, prefer nearby destinations. Less, but longer long-haul travel. Consumers need climate friendly products to change their travel behavior.

„ The choice is ours – yours and mine. We can stay with business as usual and preside over an economy that continues to destroy itself, or we can be the generation that changes direction moving the world onto a path of sustained progress. The choice will be made by our generation, but it will affect life on earth for all generations to come“. Lester A. Brown, Plan B 2.0, World Policy Institute 2005

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