What are the Sustainable Tourism Trends?

​​UN Tourism defines sustainable tourism as "tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities."

A survey conducted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) showed that 80% of people believes in the importance of sustainable tourism. Negative impacts of tourism can be mitigated by making conscious choices that would ensure development of environment and local communities and a difference can be created through sustainable tourism.

According to an article published in Forbes, approximately 6 out of 10 travelers prefer to stay in hotels which prioritize environment-friendly practices such as eliminating the use of disposable plastics. The same study shows that 30% of travelers are more prone to pay more for staying in hotels that have green facilities, including the current electric vehicle charging stations.

A survey conducted in 2021 showed that 78% of luxury travelers prefer to do business with strong sustainability policies while another survey conducted in 2022 showed that 75% of travelers would pay more for eco-friendly options if they knew how the funds are used. 61% of electric vehicle drivers in the United Kingdom see electric vehicle charging stations as a key factor while making hotel reservations.

Studies show that 81% of travelers believe that sustainable travel is important.

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According to the Sustainable Development Report, the top 5 countries with the highest performance on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are as follows;

1. Finland
2. Denmark
3. Sweden
4. Norway
5. Austria

These countries are governed by proactive governments that develop policies and regulations that protect against climate change. For example, in Finland, people have a deep connection to nature and establish this connection in childhood. This mentality and education intensifies in adulthood. For a Finn, protecting the environment and natural resources is considered an ethical value.

However, it should be emphasized that it is wrong to only give examples of Northern European countries when talking about sustainability and green trends. First of all, sustainability is a global issue and the contributions of all countries are important. Highlighting only the achievements of countries with high GDP means ignoring the efforts and contributions of countries in the global south. This situation provides a perspective that is lacking in diversity and inclusiveness. In addition, countries in the global south can develop innovative and compatible solutions to cope with environmental challenges, which shows that their experiences and practices should be learned and appreciated. Global cooperation and embracing diversity are essential for a sustainable future.

The relevant sustainable tourism statistics and trends that shape tourism sector in a rapid manner can be listed as follows:

• According to the latest studies, 61% of travelers want to know more about their trips. And 46% of these people have a clear idea about how they will realize sustainable travels.

• Sustainable travel is important for 80% of travelers globally.

• Approximately 76% of travelers want to travel greener in the next 12 months.

• Approximately 81% of people want to change their travel behaviors in order to reduce their environmental impacts.

• 78% of travelers plan to stay in environmentally friendly hotels.

• More than half of travelers (60%) are open to pay more to businesses which prioritize environmental management.

• For 32% of the individuals, the main obstacle before sustainable travel is lack of knowledge.

• Almost two thirds of people (63%) think that reservation sites, travel agencies and tour operators should declare the carbon footprint of their offered flights and other travel products.
• 83% of Americans feel guilty about their past travel preferences and worry that their travels may not be environmentally friendly.

• Approximately 70% of employees are unaware of the green policies of the companies they work for in terms of corporate travel.

1- Guests actively search for environmentally friendly accommodation.
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Some tips for becoming an eco-friendly tourism business:
• Making eco-friendly changes by using energy-saving devices

• Investing in smart home technologies in order to reduce energy consumption

• Using water-saving appliances, using gray water by recycling it

• Using renewable energy sources

• Reducing plastic wastes and providing recycling

• Supplying food products from local producers

• Using bicycles and other sustainable transportation options

2- Sustainability expectations of travelers are increasing.
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According to the latest Sustainable Travel Report of Booking.com, travelers expect more effort from the parties that offer accommodation services:

1. 35% demand that air conditioners and heaters should be controlled with energy-saving sensors.
2. 32% demand that accommodation providers provide information about local ecosystems and cultural heritage.

3. 27% want a reduction of water consumption by planning daily room cleaning services.

4. 27% demand the usage of reusable plates and forks for meals and room service.

5. 40% are ready to avoid the busy seasons and the crowding.

3- Communing with the local culture and mother nature is prioritized.
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​80% of travelers want to know more about the local culture while in holiday and 76% want to reconnect with nature. It becomes increasingly important for tourism business managers to offer suggestions for local and authentic restaurants, secrete natural sites, cultural tours, and activities.

4- Environmental concerns of tourists show variance.
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When environmental impact of travels is considered, although the main concern seems to be CO2 emissions, only 29% of travelers indicate this as a source of concern. 30% of travelers are concerned about excessive tourism, 38% about the threats to wildlife and natural life sites and 46% about the generation of waste.

People who provide accommodation services can relieve this big concern by taking steps to reduce waste. It can be a good start to not use disposable plastics, install water filters, provide reusable shopping bags, and create a list of local product markets.

5- Building partnerships with local businesses is becoming increasingly important.
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​42% of people are making a point of shopping from small businesses during their travels in order to support local economy. If you are a tourism business manager, you should buy your kitchen materials, bed sheets and furniture from local businesses instead of shopping from the mass-producing chain markets and you should tell this on your website. In other words, building partnerships with local businesses would create a positive impact on the economy.

26% of travelers indicate local government, 23%tourism sector, 20% themselves, 8% accommodation service providers and 6% online travel agencies as being responsible of positive changes in terms of environment. Regardless of the area of the sector, it seems that the time has come for us to take responsibility for sustainability.

So, what should responsible tourists do, how can they make a difference through their individual preferences?

You can contribute to sustainable tourism and take positive action for the future of our planet by implementing the following actions.

• Reducing your wastes during your travels (for example, using fewer disposable plastics),
• Turning off the air conditioner and lights when you leave your room,
• Always preferring eco-friendly accommodation places,
• Trying to manage your carbon footprint (for example, mostly choosing to travel by bus, train, or boat),
• Reusing towels, sheets, etc. in the accommodation facilities when they are not dirty,
• Preferring local products from local businesses,
• Preferring independent local businesses,
• Going to less known destinations,
• Collecting your waste when you go to the beach,br>• Bringing your own toiletries or requesting that the room is free of single-use toiletries,

• Bringing your own bathroom materials or demanding not to have disposable bathroom materials in the room,
When you practice these simple steps, you will realize ‘responsible travel’ practices and contribute to sustainable tourism!

Sustainable tourism trends are critical for protecting our planet and maximizing the socio-economic benefits of tourism. This approach aims to minimize our environmental footprint, protect natural resources, support biological diversity, and develop cultural heritage and lifestyle of local communities in a sustainable manner.

Sustainable tourism aims to reduce the negative impacts of tourism on the environment as well as supporting local economies through trends such as engagement of local people in tourism activities, green hotel management, and responsible travel. These practices enable a more equal distribution of tourism revenues among local communities and conservation of touristic destinations and offer a way for not only this generation but also the next generations to benefit from tourism.

Adopting sustainable tourism trends not only protects the fragile eco-systems of our planet, but also conserves cultural diversity and historical heritage. This enables sustainability for tourism in the long-term and prevents excessive usage of touristic destinations and environmental decay. In addition, sustainable tourism increases the life quality for local people while providing a more authentic and meaningful experience for the guests. Thanks to this, the tourism sector can grow in a manner that is more ethical and responsible.

In sum, sustainable tourism trends consolidate the positive aspects of tourism while making an effort to reduce the negative aspects. Adopting these trends is an important step taken on the way to creating a fairer and greener world. Sustainable tourism has a critical role in shaping the future of tourism and fulfilling our global responsibility by protecting our planet and supporting local communities.