MUMBAI, 7 June 2018: Young Indian travellers are opting for sustainable holidays and a lower carbon footprint when they travel according to the latest Cox & Kings study
Details were announced on World Environment Day, 5 June, on the key findings of a study ‘Young Indian’s demand for Sustainable Tourism and its Perception of a Green Holiday’.
The Cox & Kings’ study showed a whopping 87% of the respondents felt strongly about saving the environment.
The study also highlights the deciding parameters for accommodation, adventure type, the rise of Voluntourism, transport and travel logistics for the young Indian travellers.
Surveys were carried out in key cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Thiruvananthapuram with 5,000 young people between 20 to 35 years.
The company in a preamble to the report noted that tourism’s global carbon footprint has increased, accounting for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
It said transport and food were also significant contributors.
“While service providers at one end are modifying business models to contribute positively, there is clear evidence that travellers are becoming more conscious than ever about sustainable travel.”
Close to 72% of the participants said they would prefer to hire a bicycle or simply take a bus or train to explore, when on holiday in Europe.
While there is very little that can be done to contain the greenhouse emissions by air-travel, Millennials in India said they intended to compensate by choosing the right local travel options.
Places to eat are chosen either through local or online research. A restaurant providing locally sourced food, liquids with no straws, minimal or a complete ban of single-use plastics topped the list for about 67% of the young Indian travellers.
The demand for ‘Green Hotels’ and accommodation facilities is on the rise. An impressive 89% of the respondents said they had chosen their stay based on research about a property’s sustainable practices.
Be it luxury accommodation or budget, the young Indian explorer would choose a stay that prioritises local community, local procurement of resources, solar power use, waste treatment facilities and technology-intervention to minimise carbon footprints.
Voluntourism was viewed as an emerging trend of travel linked to making a positive contribution in a community. About 92% of the young Indians expressed interest in participating in rural tours, farming trips, NGO visits, cause-based trips and sustainable treks/hikes.
About 74% of the respondents agreed they would skip destinations that are suffering from over tourism or mass tourism.
The survey concluded that young Indian traveller recognise the importance of Sustainable Tourism as a channel for change.
Cox & Kings Ltd (Est 1758) is the oldest travel company in the world and also one of the leading leisure and education travel groups with operations in 22 countries across four continents.
