Aito plans to set up a climate change “think tank” to prepare, on behalf of the travel sector, a coordinated response to anyone who questions the sector’s commitment to pursuing positive action on the climate crisis.
Addressing delegates at the Aito overseas conference in Wroclaw, Poland, chairman Derek Moore said the group would convene “once the dust has settled” following the 12 December general election.
“They will look at how we as a travel organisation respond to the crisis,” said Moore. “Consumers are increasingly going to challenge us and we need to have a considered response ready – we don’t want to be seen as the villain of the piece.”
Moore said the think tank would variously engage civil servants, politicians and the aviation sector, whom he described as just some of "the stakeholders" in the climate crisis.
“Aito members are justifiably proud of putting together exceptionally wonderful product," said Moore. “The climate crisis affects all of us. We need the support of all of you to act and put our point of view to consumers.”
The 2019 conference was punctuated by discussion of the climate crisis, ranging from the issue of climate offsetting and the caution any operators keen to adopt a scheme should exercise when making a choice, to championing the positive impact many Aito operators have in communities around the world.
“How will the industry deal with this, we still don’t know,” Moore added. “We don’t have all the answers. So we want to engage as many parties as possible.”