Earth Day may have passed, but interest in sustainable travel is still going strong, according to a recent study by Booking.com. The company’s 2019 Sustainable Travel Report has found that almost three quarters (73%) of travelers worldwide intend to stay at least once in an eco-friendly or green accommodation in the year ahead. 2019 is the fourth consecutive year in which Booking.com’s research has seen this figure rise, from 62 percent in 2016 to 65 percent in 2017 and 68 percent in 2018.
Other key findings from the report: almost three quarters (72%) of travelers worldwide believe that people need to act now to make sustainable travel choices. The results were relatively consistent across age groups, Booking.com said, with almost three quarters (74%) of 46-55 year olds believing that action is needed, followed by Millennials at 71 percent.
The report also examined the most common barriers travelers face when trying to book a sustainable vacation. The top response is simply lack of knowledge, with 37 percent of respondents agreeing with the statement “I do not know how to make my travel more sustainable.” This is followed by “I cannot afford the extra expenditure of sustainable travel” (36%); ”I cannot afford the extra expenditure of sustainable travel” (36%); “Although I do see options to travel more sustainably, other options tend to appeal more” (34%); “My agenda constrains me in the sustainable choices I can make “ (34%); and “Sustainable travel destinations appeal to me less than other destinations” (34%).
The report is based on a survey of 18,077 adults who have taken a trip in the last 12 months or plan to take a trip in the next 12 months.
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