Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action
New research from Booking.com suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travellers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 68% of Kiwi travellers believing we have to act now to save the planet for future generations.
Booking.com reveals how the ‘pandemic effect’ could finally tip sustainable travel intent for Kiwis into impactful action.
New research from Booking.com suggests that the pandemic has been the tipping point for travellers to finally commit to their own sustainable journey, with 68% of Kiwi travellers believing we have to act now to save the planet for future generations.
Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report reveals that more than three quarters (77%) of Kiwi travellers think sustainable travel is a vital part of achieving this, with two thirds (61%) stating that the pandemic has influenced them to want to travel more sustainably. The timing of the report makes the findings even more poignant, as the travel industry looks to rebuild amidst the ongoing pandemic, says Todd Lacey, Area Manager of Booking.com New Zealand.
“Our research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened New Zealanders’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world,” says Lacey. “At Booking.com we believe travel is a force for good, but it has to be done in the right way to ensure we are protecting the planet for future generations.”
Lowering our footprint
Kiwi travellers shared a variety of steps they plan to take to leave less of a footprint on the world as they explore it including’ 80% wanting to reduce general waste, 79% wanting to reduce their energy consumption and 75% wanting to use more environmentally friendly modes of transport such as walking, cycling or public transport over taxis or rental cars.
Fortunately, it’s not just good intentions. Many of these sustainable pledges are coming to fruition, with travellers revealing that while on holiday in the past 12 months, 40% made a conscious decision to turn off their air conditioning/heater in their accommodation when they weren’t there, 53% took their own reusable water bottle, rather than buying bottled water, and 38% did activities to support the local community.
Yet Kiwi travellers feel their own efforts may be hindered when on holiday with over half (58%) admitting they get annoyed if their accommodation stops them from being sustainable. Further, despite 81% of travellers pledging to seek out accommodation that has reputable third-party sustainability accreditation, barriers still remain with 49% of travellers believing there simply still aren’t enough sustainable travel options available in 2021.
But it may be more a lack of communication than a lack of action: 3 out of 4** Booking.com accommodation partners say they have implemented sustainable steps at their property, but only one-third (31%**) actively communicate their efforts to potential guests, with this mostly happening at the time of check-in (59%**). With half of Kiwi travellers still believing ample sustainable travel options are not available, this suggests that significant change is needed to make sustainability information accessible at earlier stages of the booking process.
Closing the gap, step by step
Booking.com believes they have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. That’s why the company is currently rolling out a program for properties that will support them in taking the next steps to become more sustainable. This includes sharing guidance, insights and best practices with properties via various educational opportunities, including handbooks and dedicated content, all available via the Booking.com Partner Hub.
In connection, Booking.com is currently displaying over 30 certifications officially approved by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Green Tourism and the EU Ecolabel, as well as multiple hotel chain sustainability programs.
Booking.com is also encouraging its accommodation partners to update their sustainability information, which includes 32 practices across five key categories: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, supporting local communities and protecting nature.
“As a leader in travel, at Booking.com we believe we have an important responsibility to make sustainable choices easier, both for accommodation providers and travellers. While there is much, much more to be done, we are optimistic about the passion and commitment we are seeing from all sides,” says Lacey.
To download Booking.com’s full 2021 Sustainable Travel Report, click here.
Soak it in: breathtaking bathtubs with a view
Taking a long, hot bath can be a truly rejuvenating and relaxing ritual. Pairing that soothing soak with panoramic vistas across the South African savannah, a stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean, or nestled among the hills in Queenstown and you have some truly epic self-care.
As the days get cooler, the bathtub starts calling - that pure bliss of being enveloped in warmth. And as we look forward to the possibility of travel in the hopefully not-to-distant future, day dreams of spectacularly situated tubs creep in.
Taking a long, hot bath can be a truly rejuvenating and relaxing ritual. Pairing that soothing soak with panoramic vistas across the South African savannah, a stunning sunset over the Indian Ocean, or nestled among the hills in Queenstown and you have some truly epic self-care. With Stress Awareness Month in the month of April, Booking.com presents six ultra-luxurious bathtubs with one-of-a-kind epic views to take your bubble bath relaxation and travel daydreaming to the next level. Not all of these destinations have to be a daydream however – there’s a stunning jacuzzi stay right here in New Zealand for Kiwi travellers to luxuriate in this winter!
Lion Sands River Lodge, South Africa
For nature-lovers who like to mix adrenaline with relaxation on holiday, the bathtub at the Lion Sands River Lodge on the Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa is for you. This long and generously deep tub faces the banks of the Sabie River, where guests can safely spot a wealth of wild animals drinking throughout the day. The tub can also serve as a welcome wind-down after an exhilarating guided walk or safari through the reserve. No matter how travellers choose to unwind afterwards, a glass of local South African wine is a must for that added touch of indulgence.
The sleek tub at Hotel Aire de Bardenas in the Navarra region of northern Spain is sure to capture the attention of any architecture and design enthusiast. Its unique outdoor location, which is connected to the guest room, is a welcome way to recharge while immersed in the raw elements of a semi-desert landscape. And as there’s no roof enclosing the tub, an evening bath will give travellers the chance to sit back and stargaze in total peace.
Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, Vietnam
The timber bathtub at the Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, sits on a dramatic bay on a peninsula of the same name overlooking the turquoise East Vietnam Sea. Guests can spend hours gazing at the mystic beauty of the white-sand beach and the towering mountains in the distance, or simply sit back and listen to the gentle waves crash against the shore in the background. To top off their serene soak, guests can spoil themselves with a six-course dinner and paired wines – a perfect way to end the day.
The spectacularly large tub at the Atlantis The Palm in Dubai will have every guest feeling like they are swimming underwater with nearly floor-to-ceiling views of United Arab Emirates’ largest aquarium, which is home to 65,000 marine animals. During their stay, travellers can sit back, pop a bottle of champagne (thanks to the hotel’s 24-hour dedicated butler service) and be mesmerised by the calming movement of the fish.
Located on a private island that only a 20-minute speedboat ride can reach, the hot tub at Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives is all about privacy and tranquility – ideal for a royally romantic retreat. The circular hot tub is positioned in the centre of the bungalow providing a panorama of the indigo Indian Ocean – so that guests can spend all their time unwinding in serenity.
Surrounded by high country sheep stations, this luxurious stay Mahu Whenua is only a 20-minute drive from Central Wanaka, in our very own backyard. The private rooms which feature views of the mountains and Lake Wanaka also boast roomy hot tubs, where travellers can soak up their surroundings and enter a state of pure bliss.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travellers to use when booking getaways, as it becomes safe to do so. Discounts start at 20 percent and are valid for stays until 30 September 2021.