1. POTENTIAL FOR ENERGY-EFFICIENT TOURIST ITINERARIES: AN INVESTIGATION INTO AUSTRALIAN WHOLESALERS.
- Author
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Becken, Susanne
- Subjects
ECOTOURISM ,TRAVEL guidebooks ,DISTRIBUTORS (Commerce) ,CUSTOMER services ,TRAVEL costs - Abstract
Overseas wholesalers play an important role in the development of sustainable tourism because they put together packages and brochures, and thereby influence customer choices and behavior. This research, by means of brochure analysis and interviews, investigated the role of whole- salers in developing more energy-efficient itineraries. Currently, Australian coach tours to New Zealand travel 243 km per day, and self-drive tours travel 174 km per thy to visit the main tourist icons in both the North and South islands. This results in considerable energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions. There is some potential for tourists to stay longer, travel less (e.g., visit only one island), and demand greater involvement and broader experiences. Because transport is not a main factor for the budgeting of tours, a carbon tax in the order of several percent of travel costs would have little impact on travel itineraries. Shifts towards more energy-efficient products need to be triggered by consumer demand, and be supported by marketing agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2004
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