Tourists would sacrifice flights for the environment

Half of holidaymakers would be prepared to cut down on 50% of their foreign trips to protect the environment, according to a survey today.

By flying less to do their bit to fight global warming, the British tourists would sacrifice around 14 million overseas visits and 176 million nights abroad, the study from hotel company Travelodge found.

As many as 22% intended to start offsetting the carbon emissions for which they are responsible on their next holiday. But the "green gap" between what tourists say and what they actually do was highlighted by the fact that only 7% had ever offset carbon emissions.

And while 87% felt holiday companies and hotels have a responsibility to act in a "green" way, only 27% admitted to thinking about the environment when booking a break. In addition, 90% admitted they did not know the approximate "carbon cost" of a holiday.

The survey, of 2,000 people, found that 68% would be prepared to give up visits abroad if British breaks were cheaper, while 53% believed British tourism was improving.