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Environmental Versions - Carbon Emissions & Noise Pollution
Noise pollution is a big concern in the UK. Surface transport is responsible for a quarter of UK emissions of carbon dioxide, which majorly effects climate change. Many areas in the UK fail to meet national air quality objectives and European limit values for some pollutants. In many town centres or along busy roads, motor vehicles are particularly responsible for local pollution and environmental noise. It became a problem in the early 1970s. -
Changes in Demand - Increase of Car Ownership
The increase in car ownership has had a significant impact on tourism in the UK. With more people owning cars, it has become easier to access various tourist attractions across the UK. They have more freedom to explore different areas. For example, people can go on long road trips along coastal routes. As well as this, it allows car owners to travel to France using the Channel Tunnel in their car. -
Political & Legal Changes - Privatisation
Privatisation has the potential to disrupt the tourism industry. Competition can improve quality and efficiency, but it can also cause prices to rise. When private corporations enter in, they frequently want profit, which might cause prices for tourism activities to rise.It's all about value for money. When prices rise, privatisation can make it more difficult for residents to acquire services. The emphasis on business may overshadow environmental or cultural preservation efforts. -
Environmental Versions - Widening of Motorways
The first ever widening of the motorway was on the M25. The M25 is one of the busiest motorways in the UK so the widening was done to try and limit congestion, collisions, and improve the quality of the traffic flow. Other motorways in the UK, the M1 and the M6, have also had widening projects done which were completed in the early 2000s. -
Political & Legal Changes - Air Passenger Duty
APD is a tax on passengers who fly from UK Airports. It was originally designed to raise money instead of environmental reasons. Some people think it has environmental benefits by discouraging people from taking certain flights. How much APD adds to the cost of your ticket depends on the distance of the flight and which class you are in. This money goes into the general pot in the Treasury. -
Product & Service Innovation - Opening of the Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel took over 5 years to complete and is one of the biggest engineering projects ever done in the UK. The Channel Tunnel is an undersea tunnel linking south England to north France. It is run by Getlink. The Channel Tunnel is split into three tunnels. These being two rail tunnels used for freight and passenger trains, and a service tunnel. It is not the same as the Eurostar which is a common misconception. -
Product & Service Innovation - Introduction of Budget Airlines
The introduction of budget airlines in the UK made a large impact on tourism. Airlines like Ryanair and EasyJet were leading the charge in the 1990s.These airlines made travel more affordable and accessible to different individuals. The impact was huge - more people could travel and tourism boomed. However, the customer service is almost always basic, and extras fees for additional items can add up. -
Technology - online check-in & self check-in is introduced
Self check-in allows passengers to save time by checking in at a kiosk where they are able to choose their seat and print their own boarding passes. When using this system, passengers without baggage can head straight to the boarding gate. Online check-in allows passengers to check in online from the comfort of their own homes. They can also choose their seat and print any boarding passes at home. -
Environmental Versions - Airport Expansion
Airport expansion is a major concern for environmental issues. These expansions are at 7 different UK airports. Leeds Bradford, Luton, Bristol, Southampton, Heathrow, Stansted and Manston. Gatwick is also expected to submit plans to increase capacity. The governments own advisers on the climate change committee said there should not be any net expansion of UK airport capacity unless they are on track to outperform its net emissions. -
Political & Legal Changes - Introduction of Congestion Charges
A congestion charge for cars was introduced in London over 20 years ago. This means that people who want to drive in London on weekdays have to pay a charge to do so. If you fail to pay the congestion charge, you will be fined. You must pay the congestion charge if you are driving into Central London between 7am and 10 pm, seven days a week. Its purpose is to reduce congestion in populated areas. -
Technology - smart motorways are introduced
Smart motorways use different technologies to help manage congestion. They have variable speed limits and can also open the hard shoulder as an extra operating lane. They use a variety of sensors and cameras to detect any congestion. The sensors measure traffic flow and speed, whereas the cameras provide real time monitoring. This helps authorities identify areas of congestion and adjust speed limits accordingly/ -
Environmental Versions - Protest Camps
The development of transport networks can have a negative impact on an area, especially if people are concerned about the environment. Getting a large group of concerned individuals together and either walking or standing outside a government or organisation headquarters with posters to make their feelings known about the issue. -
Changes in Demand - Commuting
New commuting methods have brought about significant changes in the UK passenger transport industry. Companies such as Uber have changed a lot. They provide convenience and often lower pricing than traditional taxis, resulting in a significant shift in how people get around, particularly in cities or to get to airports. Furthermore, new rail projects are planned to shorten travel times between major cities, potentially changing how people choose to travel vast distances. -
Changes in Demand - Customer Lifestyles
More individuals are enjoying the beauty of the UK rather than visiting abroad for a variety of reasons, including environmental concerns, convenience, and expense. More people are working remotely or on flexible hours, which means longer stays and more diverse travel times. These lifestyle trends are pushing the travel industry to become more innovative, sustainable, and tailored to what passengers genuinely want. -
Changes in Demand - Income
Changes in income have influenced tourism in the UK as peoples income has increased over time. It has allowed them to be more lenient with their holiday plans. With higher incomes, people have more financial flexibility to take multiple trips throughout the year. There has also been a growth in 'staycations' which has boosted domestic tourism and benefited local businesses and attractions. The changes in income has transformed tourism in the UK, as it has enabled people to travel more. -
Political & Legal Changes - Taxes
Since April 2023, Manchester has introduced tourist tax. This means hat a £1 fee has been added to the cost of a hotel room per night. Some individuals are exempt from this fee, but will need to provide up to date evidence. Any money built up from tourist tax is being put towards events like festivals and conferences. Manchester is the first city in the UK to levy a tourist tax on visitors.