How travel habits have changed since COVID

In particular, during a survey conducted by Expedia Group Media Solutions, the necessary information was obtained about interests and behavior of travelers. It turned out that they are increasingly looking for ways to have a more meaningful and high-quality travel experience. The emphasis is on finding and booking more sustainable vacation options, away from crowds, in nature.

In addition, an attempt was made to understand what consumers perceive as sustainable travel, what trade-offs they are willing to make to achieve it, and where and how they seek information to make more informed choices. In particular, the survey conducted by Wakefield Research included a representative sample of 11,000 travelers from 11 countries (Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, UK and USA).

Consumers around the world are increasingly make informed decisions while traveling. They visit:

• local cultural or historical attractions (46%),
• use more environmentally friendly modes of transport (43%),
• travel to smaller, lesser-known places (41%).

And most of them intend to do so in the future. In addition, 9 out of 10 travelers said that they are looking for eco-friendly options during their holidays, and are looking for help and advice from travel agencies, “where else to have a good rest and, most importantly, away from everyone.” Travel companies offer environmentally friendly options “in comfort”. While most travelers reported that these destinations are often a little more expensive, they are “worth it”.

According to Wakefield Research, more than half of travelers said they willing to pay more for transport, entertainment or accommodationif they are offered exactly what they expect from the rest. In addition, they also willing to make compromises to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Nearly 70% said they were willing to sacrifice comfort to become a greener traveler.

Conscious travel choices also outperform ecotourism, with nearly 3 out of 4 travelers saying they would choose a destination, accommodation or transportation designed to support the local community and culture, even if it is more expensive.

Travelers who want to make more informed choice, it is important to understand what types of information you need to request access to during the trip planning process. The green travel information that consumers most want to see when planning a vacation is mostly offers from local businesses and eateries located in the destination, as well as transportation options that have a lower environmental impact (45%).

An estimated 43% of travelers are also looking for information on how best to interact (experience in an authentic environment) with the local cultures and communities living at their destination. The preferred format is ratings or information pages on travel websites (54%). Videos, reviews from other travelers, and advertisements are also valued by consumers.

The good news is that interest in sustainable travel has skyrocketed since the pandemic. Travelers seek a wide range of information about sustainable travel options. Whether it’s a destination, accommodation, transport or activity, a restaurant or a local business, travelers are interested in learning more about sustainable deals and competent advice. In addition, consumer attention to this area has led to higher expectations for destinations and travel brands.

According to experts, during the pandemic, it was confirmed that reducing carbon emissions
had a positive impact on the environment, mainly by reducing air pollution
.

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