Brits board boats to cut down on carbon

It has been a long time coming, but Brits are finally taking heed of the environmentalists' warnings and evaluating the impact of their carbon footprints.

According to one expert, in the holiday market the result has been a shift away from planes towards boats, which are perceived to be a more environmentally-friendly mode of transport.

The Passenger Shipping Association reports that in the UK over 40 million passengers are now taking ferry crossings each year, while 1.5 million Brits are treating themselves to a cruise.

Furthermore, in November 2007 The Green Travel Index was published, which revealed consumers' views of leisure travel and its impact on the environment.

It found that those aged between 25 and 34 are most aware of environmental issues and also more likely to adapt prone to adapting their travel habits in order to limit the carbon emissions of their trips.

Perhaps unsuprisngly, those aged over 50 were the least aware of green issues and also demonstrated the smallest levels of guilt about taking flights which could potentially damage the environment.

However, across all age ranges it was women who showed the greatest level of concern over the effects of their travel habits on the environment and were willing to adapt them as necessary.

Derek Moore, chairman of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, noted that this growing green awareness has prompted holidaymakers to consider alternative forms of transport.

"Ferry travel is increasingly popular as Britons become more aware of the carbon footprint left by their holidays and look for alternatives to stepping on a plane," he said.

"Despite the current strength of the euro against the pound, many holidaymakers are staying closer to home and taking a ferry is a convenient and cost-effective way to get to the Continent," Mr Moore added.

This boom in ferry travel was most obvious in Easter 2007 when more than 235,000 passengers passed through the Port of Dover over the four-day holiday, which was a seven per cent increase compare with the previous year.

Furthermore, during this period the number of cars using the port's services to Calais, Dunkerque and Boulogne also showed growth, as over 38,000 cars and 2,500 coaches travelled with P&O Ferries, SeaFrance, Norfolkline and SpeedFerries to the foreign destinations.

Mr Moore added that ferry holidays also add a different dimension to a holiday, as families can explore the various entertainment s? on offer on the boat.

This experience contrasts with that of flying, where passengers are required to sit still in one place for lengthy periods of time.

He explained: "A ferry ride is often enjoyed by children as an adventure.

"Travellers, particularly families, see it as part of the holiday as opposed to just a method of transport getting them to their destination."