TRAVELLERS globally have listed overtourism, pollution of beaches/waterways, deforestation and energy inefficiencies as their main concerns of the impact of tourism on the environment, according to Agoda’s Sustainable Travel Trends Survey.
The findings from the online survey, which polled 18,327 consumers in 14 markets, was launched on June 5 to mark World Environment Day 2021.
According to the survey, the top three additional measures needed to make travel more sustainable are easy identification of sustainable eco-friendly travel options, limited use of single-use plastics and financial incentives for accommodation providers who maximise energy efficiencies.
The public considers governments most accountable for making positive environmental changes around travel, followed by tourism authorities and individuals themselves.
When it came to holding governments most accountable those in Indonesia and UK were most likely to do so (36%). They are followed by China (33%), Australia (28%) and Malaysia (27%).
“The markets most likely to cite themselves or individuals as most responsible for making changes to travelling sustainably were Thailand (30%), Japan (29%) and the US (28%). Meanwhile, China (11%), the UK (13%), and Vietnam (14%) were least likely to attribute responsibility to the individual,” stated the report.
To the question of what they would pledge to do better for post-Covid travel the respondents named the top three as #1 manage their waste including using less single-use plastics, #2 switch off the air conditioning and lights when leaving their accommodation, #3 always look for eco-friendly accommodation. Despite overtourism being stated as one of the top concerns of tourism impact, those polled ranked going to lesser-known destinations as seventh of 10 pledges to do better (see chart below).
As for the practices most associated with sustainable travel or environmentally friendly travel, respondents said number 1 is renewable energy/resources like solar, wind, hydroelectric and water; two, no single-use plastics; three, animal conservation and creating smaller carbon footprint.
Other energy saving solutions such as key cards or motion sensors, using natural cleaning products, are the other key practices. However, buying locally sourced products, reusing bedding or towels during holiday stays, and visiting off-the-beaten track destinations are the bottom three practices out of 10 associated with sustainable travel.
“We can see from the Agoda Sustainable Travel Trends Survey that the messages of taking simple steps such as switching off lights and air conditioning when leaving the room or reducing waste by minimising use of single-use plastics are being embraced by the public across the globe,” said John Brown, CEO of Agoda.
John Brown: “One of the easiest ways to counter concerns about overtourism is to consider travelling to off the beaten track destinations”.
“What is also clear is that while globally the message is governments need to take the lead on managing sustainable travel, there is recognition that some responsibility lies with people’s own behaviour.”
He added that while interpretations may vary on what practices are eco-friendly or sustainable, most people are keen to be able to do their part by choosing eco-friendly properties or make smarter environmental choices when travelling.
“One of the easiest ways to counter concerns about overtourism is to consider travelling to off the beaten track destinations. This past year at Agoda we have seen a shift in travel patterns as people, limited to domestic travel, explore lesser-known areas. If managed well, not only does this help support independent hoteliers and accommodation providers that rely economically on the tourist dollar, it can help lessen the environmental burden on overcrowded areas.”
He stressed there is a need to to continue to find ways to help individuals achieve these goals. This could be done by making it easier to search and find sustainable properties on Agoda or supporting and encouraging more partners to use sustainable products such as key cards for power or offering carbon-offsetting options for travel products.
The survey noted respondents with increased desire to travel more sustainably are from South Korea (35%), India (31%) and Taiwan (31%). Global figures, however, showed that while 25% have an increased desire to travel more sustainably, 35% said their desire to do so has decreased. The markets reporting the biggest proportional decrease were Indonesia (56%), Thailand (51%) and the Philippines (50%).
“It’s concerning that many people see sustainable travel as less important today than they did before Covid-19, but I hope that is just a short-term effect, driven by people’s thirst to get back out there and travel any way they can,” Brown commented.
• Featured image credit (Crowds of tourists at Skogafoss waterfall in Iceland): amedved/Getty Images
