A new service due to be launched in Australia this year allows travellers to hire their holiday clothes instead of lugging heavy bags to the airport.

Travellers will be able to book the clothes they want online before they leave and the items will be waiting in their hotel room when they arrive.

Canadian entrepreneur Catharine MacIntosh hopes to launch the Zero Baggage concept simultaneously on the Gold Coast and her hometown, Toronto, late next year.

Ms MacIntosh pointed out that this is a more energy-efficient of of travelling and cuts out waiting in queues with bags and the worry about your bag being lost or stolen.

Travellers will be able to choose between new and pre-worn clothes.

Ms MacIntosh will unveil the idea at a Tourism Futures Conference on the Gold Coast this month, and has vowed to keep costs reasonable.

"In Australia, the highest percentage of travellers are the backpacking crowd and I think a lot of people would be happy to use pre-loved items," Ms MacIntosh said.

"When you think about removing almost half the weight from a plane when you get rid of passenger luggage, it's quite a sustainable action in terms of energy.

"At this point, considering the economy and travel, we need to look at new ideas."

Hiring your holiday clothes and leave you luggage behind; is this a sensible ideas? Let us know your thoughts.

10 August 2009