The Pandemic Effect: Booking.com reveals an increased desire by Indians to travel more sustainably when it is safe to do so
Pause in global trotting has inspired 94% of Indian travellers to make sustainable travel a priority in the future
Earth Day 2021 will be a moment of reflection for travellers around the world. Instead of reminiscing about the trips they have taken in the past 12 months, it will be a milestone moment for many to reflect on how their future travels can have a more positive impact, both on the environment and on local communities. Leading digital travel platform, Booking.com has leveraged its recent research to unearth an uplifting trend of a heightened desire to travel responsibly, which means we can expect to see travellers having a more eco-conscious mindset throughout 2021, and beyond, as it becomes safe to travel again.
From having an amped awareness on the need for sustainable travel, travellers have been reevaluating what steps to take, whether small or large, to ensure they are playing their part in helping to protect the planet like, staying away from crowded tourist attractions, avoiding travelling during peak season and visiting alternative destinations to prevent overcrowding.
This eco-conscious determination is having an impact on travellers’ behaviors even once they arrive at their destination, as global travellers are pledging to continue to act with sustainability in mind. As per the findings , 98%* of Indian travellers are vying to stay in an eco-accommodation at least once. This number increases to 100%* for travellers from Vietnam, 98%* for travellers from Colombia and 98%* for Thailand travellers.
Along with the evolved accommodation choices, travellers are also thinking about how their trips can have a more long-term, regenerative effect and actually help rebuild communities. With new research from Booking.com revealing that over 68%* of Indian travellers want the money they spend when travelling to go back to the local community.
Ritu Mehrotra, Regional Manager - South Asia at Booking.com said: “Whilst travel may be on a halt today, Booking.com research shows that this pause in global trotting has inspired 94%* of Indian travellers to make sustainable travel a priority in the future. An optimistic indication that travellers will be more considerate when making decisions about future travel, while keeping in mind that every sustainable step they take will help to reduce their footprint on the environment. No matter how small it may be. And as always, we continue to work with our accommodation providers to offer more sustainable choices to our travellers and make it easier for everyone to experience the world, when it is safe to do so again. ”
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of of 29,349 respondents across 30 countries and territories (1,000 from USA, 1,007 from Canada, 1,000 from Mexico, 964 from Colombia, 1,000 from Brazil, 1,000 from Argentina, 999 from Australia, 941 from New Zealand, 1,001 from Spain, 1,000 from Italy, 1,000 from France, 1,000 from UK, 1,000 from Germany, 1,003 from Netherlands, 986 from Denmark, 1,000 from Sweden, 997 from Croatia, 1,005 from Russia, 1,003 from Israel, 1,000 from India, 1,000 from China, 1,005 from Hong Kong, 968 from Thailand, 963 from Singapore, 1,000 from Taiwan, 1,005 from Vietnam, 1,000 from South Korea, 1,000 from Japan, 1,002 from South Africa, 500 from Kenya ). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once in the past 12 months and must be planning to travel in 2021, and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in March 2021.