IHG Hotels & Resorts releases survey highlighting more responsible travellers

The fresh survey mirrors people's appetite for better, greener travel

The research is commissioned as part of IHG’s launch of "Journey to Tomorrow": a 10-year action plan comprising a series of far-reaching new commitments to make a positive difference and help shape the future of responsible travel.

Accordingly, 60 per cent of the 9,000 adults surveyed across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Greater China, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia agree that they want to be more environmentally and socially conscious during their travels. This is led by 69 per cent of younger travellers aged 18 to 24 compared to just 48 per cent of those in their 55s and over.

It appears travellers not only intend to do more for the planet and communities around them, they are willing to pay for it too. The research found that consumers will spend an average of 31 per cent more on accommodation they know operates responsibly – with 51 per cent happy to fork out more than 20 per cent extra a night.

The survey shows that more than half of respondents across the globe (57 per cent) care more about doing their bit for local communities and the planet while travelling now than they did 10 years ago.

In fact, 46 per cent of people say they are more likely to be mindful about avoiding tourist activities that have a negative impact on the local environment and communities since the global pandemic.

In the survey, 86 per cent of people say it is important to get to know the local community when visiting somewhere new, with two-thirds doing this by supporting local eateries, followed by shopping locally (64 per cent), speaking with the locals (61 per cent), and getting involved with local tours (48 per cent).

As for activities such as volunteering and restoration projects, young travellers aged 18-24 are nearly three times as likely to get involved when visiting another country, compared to those 55 and over.

The survey shows that the appetite for better, greener travel is ripe. An incredible 82 per cent of adults around the world say they are committed to taking their everyday sustainable habits with them when they travel, with using the correct waste and recycling disposal for different items taking the top spot as the No.1 habit.

“Journey to Tomorrow embodies IHG’s strengthened commitment to make sure we do what’s right, not just what’s needed, and we are determined to contribute towards positive social and economic change, to stand up for key issues such as diversity and inclusion and human rights, and to make more responsible environmental choices," said Keith Barr, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts. “A great guest experience at our hotels is inextricably linked to operating responsibly and growing sustainably. So while travel may have been temporarily paused for many, we want the next stage of our journey to be successful in every sense of the word.”

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 6,000 hotels and 890,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries, with approximately 1,900 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG Rewards, a global loyalty programme with more than 100 million enrolled members.