Rail travel 'an attractive option'
A travel industry spokesperson has said that rail travel is becoming increasingly attractive to people who don't want to fly.
As environmental issues climb ever higher on the agendas of many travellers, rail travel is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to flying, according to an industry spokesperson.
Sean Tipton of the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said that concern is growing among travellers about the environmental impact of aviation.
Initiatives are being pursued with regards to the issue, such as carbon offsetting programmes and the inclusion of aviation in the EU Commissioner's trading scheme from 2011, but Mr Tipton said that some people are taking it upon themselves to find an alternative to air travel.
"Eurostar's business is increasing substantially and part of the reason for that is concern about the environment," he said. "It is just getting more and more high profile.
"If you don't want to fly, rail is an increasingly attractive option."
The Abta spokesperson pointed out that the falling journey times in the rail travel market will aid it as it competes with aviation.
Eurostar recently launched services from its new base at St Pancras International, which offer customers a high-speed connection to the continent.
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