Berlin/Innsbruck. The earth has fever and struggles to recover from the constant attack of industrial emissions. Mother nature's defence system is depleted. Experts see the "worst case" already on the horizon and predict its arrival by the end of this century: By 2080, the hot summer of 2003 may well appear to be a cool spell. Global warming is not caused only by natural sunlight, but by the additional volumes of CO2, methane and hydrocarbons produced by man's activity. According to experts, tourism is guilty of around five percent of all CO2 emissions, an environmental burden which already brings floods, droughts and other catastrophes in its wake. Such ramifications have already changed destinations. Tourist experts and hoteliers must rethink. The Austrian Hotelier Association last week dedicated an entire two days to this subject; and in Berlin the German Travel Industry Club recently initiated a workshop for insiders. Climate experts all look to the future with great concern.
Vienna. The first members have already threatened terminating their membership. The Austrian Hotel Association now intends to implement a smoking ban in Austria's hotels and demands that politicians take a clear stance.
