Return of tourists: how to improve the industry in Britain in 2024

Despite the revival of the tourism industry last year, the travel business expects new and improved steps to develop the industry in 2024. Experts say that travel companies should start taking the climate crisis seriously.

After all, many experts are skeptical of the previously announced goal of "net zero emissions by 2050" in the airline industry. Despite the fact that many airlines are investing in technologies such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and lighter composite materials, they will barely affect the carbon footprint, according to the Inews.

Meanwhile, several carriers are already using environmental issues as an opportunity to make money. But travelers need honesty because many want to fly but reduce their carbon footprint, which is not mutually exclusive. For example, choosing one airline over another can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by a third. The same goes for package vacations. Good experience is already available on the market from some airlines, where customers can choose the right vacation based on both the price for themselves and the environmental impact of their trip.

Another important area that needs to be developed is the transfer from airplanes to trains to reduce carbon emissions. Several European night routes launched last year contribute to this. But prices need to be reduced, as a trip from Brussels to Berlin in a comfortable bed currently costs 300 euros.

For Britain, the return of tourists from France could be significant because when the UK left the EU, London short-sightedly stopped accepting national identification cards for travel. Given that about half of French citizens do not have passports and use identification documents to travel to the EU, it is believed that this decision cost British companies many millions of pounds.

Another potential obstacle to tourism development is that British passport holders will need to be fingerprinted and have their faces scanned at the border, which could potentially double the length of already long queues during peak hours.

It is emphasized that a decrease in the flow of travelers due to artificial barriers has a negative impact on the development of the tourism industry. Thus, the recommendations for the tourism industry for 2024 are to support local authentic locations more, as well as to develop bookings in bed and breakfast hotels.