Sustainable Travel: A Growing Concern Among Indian Travellers
Conscious Travel Choices
As Indian travellers embark on new journeys, they are increasingly conscious of the potential impact of their travel choices. According to a survey conducted by digital travel platform Agoda, 87% of Indian travellers express concern about sustainable travel practices.
Survey Insights
The survey, conducted on Agoda’s platform with over ten thousand respondents from ten markets across Asia, revealed interesting insights. Nearly 8 in 10 travelers are willing to make more sustainable travel choices. Among them, 18% indicated their commitment to always ensuring they travel sustainably. However, 22% of travelers admit to rarely considering sustainability in their travel decisions.
Factors Influencing Sustainable Choices
Financial incentives emerged as a key factor in encouraging more sustainable choices, with 45% of respondents across all markets expressing interest in incentives such as discounts. In India, 41% of travellers opted for incentives or discounts as a primary driver for sustainable travel.
The availability of sustainable travel packages ranked second, appealing to travellers interested in activities like guided conservation hikes and supporting local initiatives. Clear guidelines on sustainable travel practices, education and awareness on environmental impact, and relevant sustainability policies from local governments completed the top five factors motivating sustainable travel choices.
Agoda’s Initiative: Eco Deals Program
Enric Casals, Associate Vice President, Agoda, emphasized the growing desire among travellers to make sustainable choices and introduced Agoda’s Eco Deals Program. This program offers value deals on selected properties, with Agoda donating one US dollar to local conservation projects of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) for every booking made through the program. The aim is to reach a total donation target of up to one million US dollars.
Priorities in Sustainable Travel Practices
When asked about sustainable travel practices prioritized by Indian travellers, supporting local communities and conservation projects emerged as the top choice, selected by 29% of respondents. Additionally, recycling and waste reduction, opting for more sustainable transportation, and participating in conservation-focused activities and tours were identified as key sustainable practices prioritized by travellers across Asia.
Conclusion
As sustainability becomes a more significant concern for travellers, initiatives like Agoda’s Eco Deals Program play a crucial role in encouraging more sustainable choices. With growing awareness and support for sustainable travel practices, travellers have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment and local communities during their journeys.