Holland has scrapped it’s air eco tax and this got me wondering if it would not be better to abolish it here and force consumers to offset their carbon emissions.

If it’s “forced” then it’s still a eco tax, just with a different name. Theoretically, eco taxes should be used to benefit the environment and, thus, be as eco-friendly (or more) than offsetting. If they’re not, then the problem to be resolved is with the government and not whether you want to choose between two types of similar taxes.

To the specific question, though, I’d choose whichever resulted in the least amount of cost. If the eco tax were less, I’d pay that. If offsetting were less, I’d take that. If they were the same, then I’d take the default or whatever results in the least work for me to action.

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Would be interesting to see some data on what % of people opt to carbon offset their travels when the option is presented to them in the online booking process. One problem is there are so many other extras with a typical flight booking that by the time you have added them all on, most people I think are loath to pay another “supplement” so they choose not to.

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Consumers, do expect their suppliers to be eco aware, but price is king and if it comes down to the customer paying ‘extra’ to offset their carbon footprint, it’s not everyone’s choice. If they see the supplier making a contribution that’s different. But someone’s paying the financial cost along the line.

Travel companies are more likely now to send e-tickets and travel documents via email and try to keep all travel documents to a minimum to keep the paper trail down. T&C’s (huge amount of paper) can be viewed and agreed online. Lots of travel advice can be viewed online. Many Tour Ops are reducing brochure spend. They all repeat the same content anyway.

Many hotels (for instance the Caribbean) still don’t have air-con and refuse to put it in some room all types, some don’t have TVs in all rooms but will have a TV lounge, nicely air conditioned for guests. All good in my opinion. Hotels ask guests to keep laundry to a minimum and ask them to put only dirty towels (maybe use for 2 days?) to be left in the bathtub for the cleaners to pick up. Also to turn off their air-con, TV, lights etc when not in the room. People still leave it all on and are annoyed to come back to find the maid has turned everything off.

These are all simple small things that we can do.

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