Initiative: Climate Change and Youth Travel

The Dilemma of the Youth Travel Industry

“Travel is in our blood.” That’s how 73 percent of 24,500 individuals responded in Lonely Planet’s 2007 “Travellers’ Pulse” survey.

That is a great thing. According to the World Economic Forum , tourism is essential in reducing poverty in the poorest countries.

We have no doubt that youth travel, and in particular responsible travel, is a valuable personal development experience that makes a contribution to international understanding and respect. However, we as a global industry must now recognise that there is an environmental cost associated with this travel. And that we can help.

By utilising our strategic position as conduits of information to millions of youth travellers around the world, we have the opportunity to help answer the “question of conscience” that is confronting our travellers and our industry.

Through educating and engaging our youth to travel responsibly, and by becoming more sustainable as an industry, we can help provide solutions, while growing many future generations of responsible travellers.

And that is priceless.