So you want to travel with a smaller footprint? Bravo! But would you be willing to part ways with more cash to achieve this?
A new study has revealed just how important greener choices are for Australian travellers, with most Aussies wanting to holiday more sustainably over the coming 12 months. The problem is, many see greener travel as a more expensive option – whether that’s true or not.
According to the study, which was conducted by Booking.com, two in three (64 per cent) Australian travellers say they want to travel with a smaller footprint in the next year. That’s great news.
But more than half (58 per cent) of the Aussies polled believe sustainable travel options are too expensive (up by 14 per cent year-on-year), with only one in three (36 per cent) willing to pay extra for travel options with a sustainable certification.
This comes despite most Australians (72 per cent) believing people need to act now and make more sustainable choices for future generations.
While nearly half of travellers (42 per cent) said recent climate change had urged them to think greener, most (77 per cent) believe the energy crises and inflation is impacting their spending plans. In other words, the majority of respondents believe the two – conscience and cost – are mutually exclusive.
In fact, nearly half of travellers believe they must make a choice between sustainability and spend.
Meanwhile, encouragingly, over a third (36 per cent) of travellers say they would be willing to pay more for travel options with a sustainable certification, while nearly half (49 per cent) want discounts and incentives to opt for eco-friendly options (up 15 per cent from 2022).
More options please
Elsewhere, just under half (49 per cent) believe there are not enough sustainable travel options available, with three-quarters (72 per cent) wanting travel companies to offer more eco-friendly travel choices (up from 61 per cent in 2022).
The study took into account the opinions of 33,000 travellers across 35 countries and territories, including over 1,000 Australian travellers.
“Booking.com’s 2023 Sustainable Travel research confirms an intersection between current cost of living concerns and the impact of climate change witnessed in our region, which has led to a greater demand for both more budget and planet-friendly travel options,” Booking.com Managing Director Asia Pacific Laura Houldsworth said.
“We are listening and together with our partners across the industry, we are examining every part of the trip to not only support our travellers but also benefit our Australian communities and environments.”
Is the travel industry investing enough in our planet? Read our story on Earth Day 2023.