WTTC: Sustainability to Top Travelers’ Agenda in 2023

Photo source: WTTC.

Travelers are set to spend more on sustainable travel this year, according to a report released recently by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and Trip.com Group.

More specifically, according to the report “A world in motion: shifting consumer travel trends in 2022 and beyond”, 69 percent of travelers are actively seeking sustainable travel options in efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and support sustainable tourism activity.

At the same time, nearly 60 percent have chosen more sustainable travel options over the last few years.

The report assesses data from Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner and Deloitte.

Photo source: WTTC.

Additional report takeaways include:

– three quarters of high-end travelers said they are willing to pay extra to make their trips more sustainable

-nearly 60 percent of travelers said they were either already paying to offset their carbon emissions or considering it if the price was right

– 31 percent of travelers said they intend to spend more on international travel this year than in 2022 despite concerns about inflation and the cost-of-living crisis

“The demand for travel is now stronger than ever and our report shows that this year we will see a significant bounce back. 2023 is set to be a very strong year for travel and tourism,” said WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson, adding that “sustainability is at the top of travelers’ agenda”.

Simpson said consumers are now stressing the need to protect nature and to travel responsibly.