Tourism chiefs fear effects of ‘flight shaming’ on Ireland

The State’s tourism authorities fear an increase in so-called “flight shaming” could threaten Ireland’s position as a European travel hotspot. Niall Gibbons, the CE of Tourism Ireland, which markets the whole island abroad, said the organisation has picked up “noise” in mainland Europe around the issue. He said the organisation’s “ear to the ground” has detected momentum behind flight-shaming, where people are criticised for travelling by air for environmental reasons. He said proposed green taxes on air travel are another threat. He said it would be “concerning” for Ireland if any attempts to burden air travel carried into a major Irish tourism source market, such as Germany. About 90% of all inbound tourists to Ireland arrive by air. <br/>