While COVID-19 halted the travel plans, this pause in globetrotting has inspired hopeful Indian travelers to become more aware of the wider impact of their trips, with 70% of Indian travelers wanting to travel more sustainably in the future, as per Booking.com’s Future of Travel research findings.
The survey conducted by leading digital travel platform Booking.com also reveals that 78% of Indian travelers expect the travel industry to offer more sustainable travel options to meet their goals of sustainable travel in the future.
Supporting local communities
As the pandemic has amplified people’s awareness about their impact on the environment and local communities, travelers are now more aware of their impact than ever before, which will pave the way for more sustainable and regenerative travel in the future. 75% of Indian travelers indicated that they want their travel choices to also support the destination’s recovery efforts, and 73% of Indian travelers want to see how their spendings go back into supporting the local community.
Recycle and upcycle
The impact of Coronavirus has inspired 55% of Indian travelers to consider reducing waste and recycle their plastic when travelling once travel restrictions are lifted, showing that people are not just committed to protecting themselves, but also the places they visit.
Commenting on the Future of Travel study, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “At Booking.com, we believe travel has the power to transform lives for the better. As a leading digital travel platform, we believe sustainable travel will ensure future travelers can continue to encounter a world full of destinations still worth exploring. For the past couple of years, we have worked alongside industry stakeholders to design and implement initiatives and products that support communities, reduce over-tourism, preserve culture and protect the environment. In doing so, we are fostering a long-term future where the whole industry works hand in hand to further transform the global travel experience into a powerful force for good.”
With the reopening of borders and establishment of the travel bubble between India and Maldives, Indian arrivals have been growing in an upward trend. India was the top tourist arrival market to Maldives in 2020. The destination welcomed 62,905 Indian travelers in 2020 with a market share of 11.3%. The country has also witnessed multiple Bollywood celebrity visits in the last few months.
Featured Image: Asad Photo Maldives
