Green Times

Australian experts have warned that the Australian tourism industry must begin to address the climate change challenge if it is to survive its impact. Speaking at the National Conference on Tourism Futures on the Gold Coast in Queensland on Tuesday, climate change expert Nick Rowley said while interest in eco-friendly travel was on the rise, tourism operators needed to immediately take leadership and improve their green credentials.

“There is an enormous imperative, I believe, to get ahead of the regulatory environment and demonstrate leadership,” he told attendees.

“Your reputation can actually be established through your credibility in relation to what you’re doing to tackle your carbon emissions,” the Australian Associated Press quoted Rowley as saying

Rowley said it was up to individual businesses to jump the gun on government-imposed regulations and prove the industry was environmentally conscientious, but also to protect its natural assets.

Climate change threatened the very heart of tourism through its effect on natural attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree rain-forests and other popular drawcards, he said.

A climate change accreditation scheme was also launched at the conference, with its founders hoping it will become the national standard for all Australian businesses, not just within the tourism industry.
Source: Xinhua, China