A PROFILE OF UK OUTBOUND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY TOUR OPERATORS

The latter years of the 1980s and the early 1990s have been synchronou s with increasing attention being paid to the 'eco-tourist' by the tou rism industry, tourism destinations and academics. The concept has bee n welcomed in the travel trade as proof that the industry is becoming more environmentally responsive whilst simultaneously being discredite d in some quarters as a phenomenon that could lead to the destruction of some of the most fragile parts of the world eco-system. There now s eems to be a plethora of companies offering 'green' and 'eco' holidays . The purpose of this article is to provide a market profile of UK out bound tour operators who promote a green or environmentally friendly p roduct.