Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service (TICOS)

The outbound tourism industry recognises that it has to play a key role in reducing and offsetting the effects of the carbon emissions produced from travel and tourism products.   Although the primary responsibility for the global impacts of aviation rest with the airlines, tour operators and other travel businesses also need to take action as a part of the holiday supply chain.

TICOS is as an industry-wide programme to stimulate collective action by all travel and tourism businesses selling holidays, holiday services and air travel.   It is supported by a number of international and national agencies including UNESCO, IUCN World Commission for Protected Areas and the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO).

TICOS uses offset funds to develop projects that have both carbon savings and have wider sustainable development benefits. The offset income is generated by voluntary contributions from customers of its service users: these are travel and tourism companies committed to offsetting and improving both the quality of the environment and the quality of life for local communities at tourism destinations.