Virtuoso, the worldwide network of travel agencies, advisors and preferred luxury experience partners, has new data indicating that today’s travelers are more cognizant of their place and impact in the world, and this has led to what Virtuoso’s Vice-Chair and Sustainability Strategist Jessica Hall Upchurch calls “the conscious comeback” as travel re-opens.
In response to growing overtourism, given the biggest concern regarding travel and sustainability before the pandemic, 76% of survey respondents said they would be willing to visit a popular destination during off-peak seasons or opt for an alternative, less-visited destination. Fully, 70% of consumers said that traveling sustainably enhances the vacation experience.
Here are more detailed results on the survey
Has the pandemic made you want to travel more responsibly in the future?
- 82% Yes
- 18% No
Which of the three pillars of sustainable travel do you feel most connected to?
- 72% All of the above.
- 10% Travel should support local communities and economies.
- 10% Travel should preserve a destination’s cultural heritage.
- 5% Travel should protect the planet.
- 3% None of the above.
When making vacation plans, do you feel it’s important to choose a hotel, cruise line, or travel company that has a strong sustainability policy?
- 50% Yes, it’s very important.
- 28% It’s somewhat important.
- 13% No, it hasn’t factored into my decision making.
- 9% I need more education on the topic first.
What would you be willing to do to help curb overtourism?
- 76% I’d visit a popular destination during an off-peak time of year.
- 69% I’d be OK traveling to an alternative, less-visited destination.
- 13% I’d pay more to access a popular destination.
- 5% None of the above.
I believe that traveling sustainably enhances my vacation experience.
- 70% Agree
- 23% I don’t know.
- 7% Disagree