Key Points for Policy and Decision Makers, and Tourism Operators

• It is interesting to observe that while the oil crises compelled an immediate response in research activity, the increasing concern about global warming appears to have generated only a limited and delayed research activity thus far.

• The carbon footprint of air travel can be substantial for some tourist destinations. Improvements in the energy efficiency of air travel are sought in the areas of airframe and engine design, and air traffic management.

• Much tourist travel to destinations is undertaken by private car; air travel ranks second in importance, especially for international tourism. Tourist transport by train is less significant.

• Alternative technologies for road transport include: electric, hybrid, hydrogen vehicles; and biofuel or gas as less carbon-intensive fuel sources. Similar options are available for water transport.

• The often negative social representations of transport alternatives constitute a challenge when addressing transport problems in tourism. Climate-friendly transport for tourists needs to be attractive and also represented as such in the wider discourse.

• Specific transport initiatives range from destination-wide transport management (e.g. car-free resorts) to restrictions on certain routes, encouragement of public transport usage (e.g. by offering attractive travel tickets in urban areas), the establishment of cycle paths or networks, and benefits offered at tourist attractions or accommodation for non-car users.

• Energy use in the accommodation sector is usually due to heating and cooling, hot water supply, cooling for fridges and freezers, and lighting. In warm holiday destinations, the single largest energy end-use is air conditioning.

• The energy intensity of tourist activities or attractions depends largely on the relative importance of a transport component; for example motorised water activities are comparatively energy and emissions intensive.