Just in time for World Earth Day on April 20, Booking.com has released the Sustainable Travel Report for New Zealand with insights from Kiwi travellers who say the impact of their trips remains top of mind, with almost two thirds (63%) of Kiwi travellers saying they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months. 

Almost half (42%) of Kiwi holidaymakers say recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices, with 59% of Kiwi travellers saying they want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived and a third (34%) revealing that they chose to travel outside of peak season to avoid overcrowding. 

Four themes have emerged from the report: 

• Kiwis are in search for more sustainable stays with 39% having already stayed in a more sustainable accommodation over the last year and a third (34%) of these Kiwis saying they chose it to help reduce their impact on the environment

• A third (34%) of New Zealand travellers are prepared to travel out of peak season and a quarter (24%) choosing to go to a less popular travel destination over the last 12 months to avoid overcrowding. However, on the flip side, one in three (33%) struggle to find appealing destinations that are less crowded and a third (32%) feel like it’s not possible to find sustainable travel options in cities or other popular tourist destinations.

• Kiwis are craving connection with communities on their travel with three in five (59%) Kiwi travellers saying they want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived and 60% wanting to have experiences that are representative of the local culture

• While sustainability isn’t top of mind for the third (29%) of Kiwi travellers who say sustainability efforts don’t play a strong role in their transport choices, they report that it can influence their final choice. And a quarter (26%) of Kiwis say knowing that the transport option booked follows sustainability best practices still makes them feel good.

  booking.com