Prepared for what lies ahead in tourism
Stay up-to-date with current, independent statistics and information on tourism in the Alpine region.
75% of guests arrive by car - which causes more than half of all emissions.
Air travel accounts for only 13% of journeys, but causes 36% of emissions.
A flight causes almost four times as many emissions per person as a car journey.
Buses and trains have the best carbon footprint - coaches in particular perform very well.
Summary of this study
Tourism is a mainstay of the alpine economy, but it also causes considerable greenhouse gas emissions - mainly due to travel. The study uses the example of Alpbach (Tyrol) to analyze the energy consumption and CO2 emissions of various means of transport.
The analysis model for this is based on a Geographic Information System (GIS). GIS is software that can be used to record, manage, analyze and visualize geographical data - for example, to create maps, calculate routes or identify hotspots. This made it possible to calculate exact travel routes and emissions.
Results
Despite its small share of the total number of journeys, air travel causes disproportionately high CO2 emissions. However, most energy consumption is caused by the massive proportion of car journeys. The authors recommend concrete measures such as better rail and bus connections, incentives for sustainable mobility and a focus on nearby markets. The study provides a valuable basis for the development of sustainable tourism strategies in the Alps.
Findings of this study
- 75% of tourists travel by car, which accounts for more than half of all emissions.
- Air travel causes 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, although only 13% of guests arrive by plane.
- Almost four times more emissions are produced per air passenger than when traveling by car.
- Travel by bus and train has comparatively low emissions, with buses in particular performing very well in the cumulative emissions balance.
- Arrival traffic is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Alpine tourism.