Where the Bloody hell Were You McGregors?

7/2/2007 - Where the Bloody Hell Were You McGregors?

Interesting argument surfacing in The Guardian and elsewhere, re: the McGregors 'recent international holiday in New Zealand. Justin Francis in Responsible travel.com writes,

“As we fly into the Alps for our skiing holiday our flight is contributing to its destruction; our honeymoon flight to the Maldives is sinking it under rising sea levels and destroying coral through bleaching associated with global warming; and our safari flight to Africa is contributing to drought, famine and disease. Even if our holiday benefits local people should the responsible traveller by flying, and what is to be done about emissions?"

What exactly.

How many tons of greenhouse gases were produced by the McGregor’s holiday? I doubt the people of the Pacific Islands will welcome this visit with open arms. When the water rises to their waists, the McGregors will be back home on their slightly elevated block on McSkimming Street in Embleton.Can I be the first to suggest that this family is made persona non grata in Tonga?

The McGregor’s holiday was not only a kick in the teeth for the environment, but a knee to the groin of the local tourist industry.

A spokesperson for the industry said that “The McGregors should have considered the many fantastic locations in Western Australia such as Bunbury and Geraldton. With fuel prices so high, it would almost be criminal to go overseas.”

Exactly.

The tourism Australia website states, “There has been a boom in overseas travel by Australians in the past three years – fuelled by their high preference for international travel matched by a strong currency and cheaper outbound fares and packages. Domestic trips, nights and spend has been flat or declined over the same period.”

Thanks very much McGregors.

The McGregor family claimed that they went to New Zealand, because their child’s grandparents live there, and they wanted to see the boy. Mr McGregor also claimed to be a regular visitor to the South West region of Western Australia, and fully appreciated what the State has to offer.

Methinks too little too late.

The Horn.