Less than half (48%) of holidaymakers say they take the environment into account when booking a trip. This was still 52 percent last year. Also, fewer people are willing to pay more for sustainable holidays.
The National Bureau of Tourism and Conventions (NBTC) reported this on Monday. This decrease is striking because last summer witnessed a severe heat wave and forest fires in southern Europe. For example, travelers on the Greek island of Rhodes had to leave their destination in a hurry due to fires.
However, the environment has never become more important for many holidaymakers, according to research conducted by NBTC in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, the US and the UK.
Of the six countries surveyed, the Dutch consider climate the least important for holidays. Only 39% said they take this into consideration when booking a trip. This percentage is the highest among the French: 50 percent. The research also shows that those who had to deal with extreme weather last summer are more environmentally conscious than those who were not affected by it.
Furthermore, 46% of travelers appear to be adjusting their holiday behavior due to the recent rise in inflation rates. For example, holidays are being booked less often, or people are opting for shorter stays. They also eat out less or choose cheaper accommodation.
