The report found that Indian travellers are integrating sustainable thinking into their vacation planning, beyond everyday small habits such as using reusable water bottles or reusable shopping bags. Some say, they now travel outside of peak season to avoid overcrowding and opt for walking, biking, or taking public transport as part of their means of transportation.
Others have also taken on the “buy local” mantra, favouring small, independent stores to contribute to the local economy.
Recycling, reusing and the value of reducing are becoming the mantra of the Indian traveller
- In a bid to save water, 55% travellers reuse their towels multiple times, up 21% from 2022.
- As more people are comprehending the value of reducing, reusing, and recycling, 57% of them brought their own reusable water bottles, up by 12% since 2022.
- 52% individuals are utilising reusable bags to be more responsible; 44% practise recycling garbage while travelling and surprisingly, 51% of individuals always carry their personal, reusable water bottle.
Indians are making greater efforts to be more mindful of their travel impact at every step of their journey
- Indians are taking several sustainability-related actions as their environmental consciousness grows.
- Taking conscious habits from home when travelling, 66% now turn off their air-conditioning when they aren’t there (up 23% from 2022)
- Indian travellers are moving towards sustainable travel practices and are becoming more selective when deciding their accommodations and modes of transportation primarily due to the worsening effects of climate change and growing environmental awareness.
- When it comes to transportation, 51% of Indian travellers now plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, use bicycles or take public transportation – essential for ecotourism
- Looking to further reduce their impact, 41% decide to go off-peak to avoid overcrowding, up 5% since 2022.
Additionally, taking the ‘buy local’ ideology is also a popular mantra amongst travellers while on vacation with 52% respondents favouring small, independent stores.
