|
Climate change not a priority for Lancashire holidaymakers
JUST 1% of
Lancastrians consider the environment to be their top priority when
booking a holiday, a new survey has revealed. Independent
research by YouGov and travel website celticcastles.com highlights
that holidaymakers do not consider their carbon footprint to be as
important as cost - with 46% saying money talks when it comes to
picking a holiday.
Roger Masterson founder of Celtic Castles, which offers unique
castle accommodation in 85 exclusive venues across the UK, Ireland
and France, is surprised the impact of air travel on the environment
is not a bigger issue. He said:- “With climate change
never far from the headlines I was taken aback by how unimportant
the environment is to those seeking a break. I’m confident, however,
that we will start to see a shift towards sustainable tourism, with
people thinking more about their environmental impact and reducing
carbon emissions by holidaying closer to home.”
The majority of the 2,091 people surveyed nationally did not see
looking after the planet as their top priority, with 23% of 18-24
year olds relegating a trip’s carbon footprint to the bottom of
their concerns. The survey did emphasise that cultural
attractions are a big draw, with 17% of men and 14% women
considering them a top priority. The poll also showed tranquillity
and weather are holiday pluses, while more than 1 in 4 people cited
a destination’s popularity with fellow Brits as the least important
consideration when booking.
Roger added:- “There is no doubt that most consider quality,
affordability and culture to be important when booking their break.
The recent increase in air fares and the hassle of heightened
security at airports could also be the catalyst for people deciding
that holidaying closer to home makes economic and environmental
sense. We are undoubtedly starting to see an increase in
British bookings. The internet has likewise opened up a lot of
destinations in Britain that holidaymakers weren’t previously aware
of – it is now as easy to find information online about castles in
rural Scotland, as it is about hotels in Spain.”
Regional variations also highlight changing attitudes within Great
Britain. According to the research, Scottish holiday makers are the
least concerned about cost when booking a trip, and more likely to
pick a destination for its cultural attractions. |
Could You Be the First Green MP?
LIVERPOOL
Green Party is opening nominations for the 5 constituency seats
across the city. The Greens are running an open nomination process,
and are inviting applicants not currently in the party, but with a
proven track record of social and/or environmental campaigning, to
also consider putting themselves forward for selection.
Cllr John Coyne, leader of the Green group on Liverpool City council
said:- "In the recent local elections, the Greens polled
nearly 3000 votes in the Riverside constituency alone and we now
hold two seats on the local council. We are serious about building
support here in Liverpool, and hope to challenge to win MPs at the
election after next."
Applicants interested in applying should
email to receive an online
application pack. Further details are available on the Liverpool
Green Party's
website.
LIBERAL DEMOCRATS PUBLISH CODE OF CONDUCT FOR EURO CANDIDATES
THE Liberal
Democrats published the code of conduct that all candidates for the
2009 European elections will be required to sign up to before being
nominated. The code includes rules on the employment of
assistants and the publication of allowances claimed.
Chris Davies, the Liberal Democrat MEP who in February revealed the
contents of a secret auditors’ report detailing the misuse of public
money by some parliamentarians, has welcomed the new rules. He
is calling on the other political parties to sign up and form a
cross-party agreement before the European Elections next June.
He said:- “It is in the public interest that the parties
ensure that all candidates in next year's elections are committed to
high standards of high standards of financial probity.”
He claims that significant reforms supported by all British MEPs are
repeatedly blocked in the European Parliament because of opposition
from members elsewhere. He said:- “The European
Parliament may be incapable of reforming itself. Dutch, Scandinavian
and British campaigners will never secure a majority in favour of
radical improvement while there is no pressure on others to vote for
change.” |
