Australian travellers are leading the world in a rising trend of environmentally aware, sustainable and culturally responsible tourism.
Booking.com survey of 32,000 global travellers from 16 countries shows Australia leads the world with 59% of travellers aspiring to reduce their environmental impact while still indulging in comfort on holiday.
The research shows more than half (52%) of all global travellers in 2015 report that they are likely to choose a destination based on its social or environmental impact.
The survey also reveals that attitudes towards sustainable travel are evolving, as luxury accommodation is becoming increasingly environmentally sustainable.
Alberto Yates, Booking.com Australia Hotels Regional Manager.
Compared to 2014, where only 10% of respondents had taken a traditional sustainable trip (defined as an eco-‐tour, a volunteering trip, a farm stay, a camping trip or a trip to learn about new cultures), this year will see the majority of global travellers influenced by a desire to experience accommodation that nurtures the environment and has an appreciation of the importance of conservation.
Unsurprisingly, this trend is more noticeable in some countries than others.
- Australians (59%) and Americans (53%) are among the world’s top sustainable
- Brazilian respondents express great interest in sustainable travel, with 74% reporting that they would be likely to base a decision on environmental concerns
- Regretfully, only 36% of Danish respondents and 39% of Dutch respondents said their plans would be influenced by their potential social or environmental impact