Customers Join in the Green Debate
DECEMBER 11, 2006. Around a quarter of both business (25.6%) and leisure (26.5%) agents are fielding an increased number of questions from their clients relating to the environmental impact their travel plans are likely to have.
This is according to the latest Amadeus snap poll in which more than 115 UK leisure and business travel agents were surveyed about the number of customers taking an interest in the environment when booking travel.
As environmental awareness continues to rise, Amadeus also asked agents what their own agencies are doing to address environmental concerns. In response to this question, UK leisure agents are addressing this issue in the following ways:
--52.5% said they are offering customers and staff recycling programmes within their premises
--37.5% said they are publicly supporting charities that care for the environment
--37.5% said they are promoting travel providers and suppliers with clear environmentally-friendly policies
--12.5% said they are providing clients with the ability to offset their carbon footprint
When asked the same question, business travel agents said they are addressing the growing interest in the environment from customers with the following initiatives:
SS 46.4% said they are promoting travel providers and suppliers with clear environmentally-friendly policies
SS 42.9% said they are offering customers and staff recycling programmes within their premises
SS 17.9% said they are publicly supporting charities that care for the environment
SS 14.3% said they are providing clients with the ability to offset their carbon footprint
Elaine Seeto, Marketing Director of Amadeus UK & Ireland said: "With the ever growing number of column inches dedicated to climate change, it's not surprising agents are noticing an increase in the number of environmentally conscious customers. As the green debate 'hots up', it's likely that agents will be asked to demonstrate clear action on green issues."
"Going forward, Amadeus believes technology will play an increasing role in developing environmentally-friendly solutions. This includes current initiatives such as e-ticketing, where Amadeus is world leader with 153 airlines participating; to locally promoting instructor-led home and office learning via web conferencing for travel agents. Another significant IT development is Amadeus Alt'ea Departure Control, which provides our airline customers with full audit trail for all flight and customer-related activities including weight and balance calculation to help them optimise their fuel usage and manage their CO2 emissions. In these and many other ways, Amadeus is helping travel providers and sellers neutralise the impact of travel on the natural environment.
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