Sustainable trips a priority for Indians, travellers opt for eco-friendly accommodations & transport providers

It’s not just about packing your bags and getting ready to go. Today’s traveller is thinking of more than just their pleasure when it comes to holiday travel. How their trip impacts the environment is a big concern with 91% of Indian travellers saying that they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months - a 76% increase over 2021 data.

Booking.com recently released its 2022 Sustainable Travel Research Report with insights gathered from more than 30,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories, highlighting that the impact of their trips remains top of mind.

With 94% of Indian travellers confirming that sustainable travel is important to them, 68% cited that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices. To that end, 64% of Indian travellers say that the sustainability efforts of accommodations and transport providers play a strong role in their property and transport decisions respectively. In fact, 88% of Indian travellers say they would be more likely to choose a sustainable accommodation - whether they were looking specifically for one or not.


In search of more sustainable stays
Awareness and visibility of more sustainable stays continues, with 68% of Indian travellers confirming they have seen a sustainable accommodation on an online travel site over the past year and 69% indicating that they actively look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before they book. Even more encouraging are the 80% of Indian travellers who say they have actually stayed in a sustainable accommodation over the past year.

More options needed
Of those who didn’t stay in a sustainable accommodation over the past year, 29% said they didn’t know they existed. While this is down 51% from 2021, indicating that awareness is growing, nearly 37% said they still didn’t know how to find them. 28% admit that they don’t actively look for the sustainability efforts of a property before they book, but if easily accessible, they say they will review it, which further underlines the importance of making this sustainability information transparent and understandable for a broad audience of travellers.

National Pet Day: Five Things To Keep In Mind While Looking For A Pet-Friendly Accommodation

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It can be heart-breaking to leave your beloved pet behind while you embark on your next adventure. But with an increasing number of travellers looking to take their smaller halves with them as well as more and more accommodations and airlines catering to those with pets, there’s really no reason your furry adventurers can’t join in the fun. On the occasion of National Pet Day, Booking.com shares top tips on what to look for in a pet-friendly stay. With the summer travel season upon us along with the easing travel restrictions, now is the best time to explore the world with your furry companion by your side.

It can be heart-breaking to leave your beloved pet behind while you embark on your next adventure. But with an increasing number of travellers looking to take their smaller halves with them as well a..

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Make sure the staff is known for loving—not just dealing with—pets!

While shortlisting an accommodation, make sure you speak with the staff ahead of your booking to make sure they are not just comfortable, but also fond of pets. This will enhance your pet’s experience and help in managing the anxiety arising from the journey. After all, a lovable environment is what your pet is used to and it's important to maintain a similar environment. During your stay, travellers you must be proud of your pooch instead of dodging disapproving looks as you walk in the corridor. Ensuring the staff’s love for pets will help you avoid any displeasing situation.

Make sure the staff is known for loving—not just dealing with—pets!While shortlisting an accommodation, make sure you speak with the staff ahead of your booking to make sure they are not just comfort..

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Select accommodations using smart filters.

Technology has today compensated for the geographical distance there is between our homes and a holiday destination, as we conveniently book accommodations through various applications. A pet owner would agree that booking the right accommodation ahead of their arrival at the destination is very important for a pleasant trip. Travellers should also look for reviews on the website or app to understand fellow travellers and pooch parents' first-hand experience at the accommodation. Do read through the fine print to confirm the pet fee.

Select accommodations using smart filters.Technology has today compensated for the geographical distance there is between our homes and a holiday destination, as we conveniently book accommodations t..

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Check out the scenery or nearby parks to make sure your precious pup can run and roam.

Travelling is a far bigger experience for pets as they are taken out of their natural habitat. While making pets completely comfortable with travelling is a gradual process, giving your pooch a setting that makes them the happiest is one of the ways you can get them to have a positive association with travelling. And what better than having an open space where your pets can run to the fullest and roam about freely. Travellers must access the images of the accommodations to ensure there is enough and more open and scenic space for their furry companions to cherish the destination, as much as you do.

Check out the scenery or nearby parks to make sure your precious pup can run and roam.Travelling is a far bigger experience for pets as they are taken out of their natural habitat. While making pets ..

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See if spa days and grooming services are available for your little love.

Grooming and keeping your pet’s health is a number one priority. And travelling with pets means exploring the various landscapes the destination has to offer - be it the sandy beaches or muddy trek trails. The aftermath of such experiences for pets is the need for grooming and cleaning to ensure their health is not affected. Having such spa or grooming services at an accommodation helps travellers save the hassle of the upkeep of their pets. It also lets you and your pets be papered during your stay, providing a truly enriching and relaxing time.

See if spa days and grooming services are available for your little love.Grooming and keeping your pet’s health is a number one priority. And travelling with pets means exploring the various landscap..

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Check for availability of gourmet pet menus.

Remember that the food can make or break a trip, for you and your dog. Travellers must make sure the pet-friendly accommodation has enough and more food supplies for your pet so that you don’t have to carry an extra load of luggage to feed your pet. Many accommodations provide paw-fect gourmet menus to treat the taste buds of our little ones. The lip-smacking menus are also Instagram worthy as you can share your experience with the fellow pet parents, and inspire them to keep their furry friends by their side for their next trip. Travellers must call the accommodation ahead of their arrival to inform about any allergies their pets may have.

Check for availability of gourmet pet menus.Remember that the food can make or break a trip, for you and your dog. Travellers must make sure the pet-friendly accommodation has enough and more food su..

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Alternative destinations and timing
There is consensus amongst travellers on wanting to avoid busy and over-visited destinations. When thinking about future trips 42% of Indian travellers said they’d be willing to exclusively travel outside of peak season to avoid overcrowding, and 64% revealed that they would avoid popular tourist destinations and attractions to ensure a more even dispersal of the impact and benefits of their visit. 42% would even be willing to choose an alternative to their preferred destination to help avoid overcrowding.

On the flip side, 55% of Indian travellers struggle to find appealing destinations that are less crowded and 44% feel like it’s not possible to find sustainable travel options in cities or other popular tourist destinations. This indicates an opportunity for travel platforms to work with accommodation providers in these destinations to help them progress on their sustainability journeys and in turn to highlight more sustainable options, as well as to help consumers discover alternate times and places to take their trips, without sacrificing on experience.

Connection to culture and local communities
A regenerative philosophy is influencing decision-making, with 56% of Indian travellers saying they want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived and 69% Indian travellers wanting to have experiences that are representative of the local culture. In fact, 35% say they have actively familiarized themselves with the local cultural values and traditions at their travel destination in advance of their trips and 39% would be willing to pay more for travel activities to ensure they are giving back to local communities.

Tipping point for transportation
Indian travellers are mindful of how far they travel, how they get there, and how they get around once they’re there. 31% Indian travellers say they chose to travel to a destination closer to home to reduce their carbon footprint and 31% indicated that they researched public transport and/or options to rent a bicycle in their chosen destination. 39% also chose to travel by train instead of the car for longer distances and 43% say they feel ashamed to fly because of its impact on the environment. When it comes to booking transportation for their trips, 73% actively look for sustainability information.