Booking.com: The barriers we face to making sustainable travel choices

As the world gears up to celebrate Earth Day on 22 April, Booking.com has released findings from its annual sustainable travel report for the fourth consecutive year. The digital travel platform revealed that almost two thirds (66%) of US travellers believe that people need to act now and make sustainable travel choices to save the planet for future generations.

However, common barriers travellers face when making sustainable travel choices are:

(% of US respondents who agree)

• I do not know how to make my travel more sustainable (40%)
• Although I do see options to travel more sustainably, other options tend to appeal more (41%)
• I cannot afford the extra expenditure of sustainable travel (40%)
• My agenda constraints me in the sustainable choices I can make (36%)
• Sustainable travel destinations appeal to me less than other destinations (41%)
• I understand what I can do to travel more sustainably (43%)

Travel companies have an important role to play, as the demand for sustainable stays is growing in popularity. With almost two thirds (64%) of US travellers intending to stay at least once in an eco-friendly or green accommodation when looking at the year ahead.

Paying for the extra cost

In Booking.com’s report last year, it revealed that perceived extra cost remains the top barrier for travellers wanting to travel more sustainably, however, two thirds (67%) of travellers would be willing to spend at least 5% more on their travel to ensure it was as low impact on the environment as possible.

Indian travellers claim to be the most willing, with nearly a third (32%) declaring that they would pay 15% or more, followed by Brazilians (21%) and Chinese (18%).