Indian Travelers Seeking Sustainable Options in Airlines and Hotels

Indian travelers are increasingly becoming more conscious of the environmental impact of their journeys, leading to a shift in their everyday habits, according to a report by Booking.com. The report highlights that travelers in India believe that airlines and hotels have the most potential to counter the environmental impacts of tourism, followed by the travelers themselves and major sites and apps.

Santosh Kumar, the country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, emphasized that sustainable practices not only enhance the travel experience for Indian travelers but also inspire them to adopt similar habits in their daily lives. There is a growing desire among travelers to have a positive impact, leading them to explore activities driven by sustainability.

In response to this trend, the Indian government and industry stakeholders are taking steps towards promoting sustainable tourism practices. The Indian Ministry of Tourism has developed a national strategy for sustainable tourism to ensure more resilient, inclusive, carbon-neutral, and resource-efficient tourism while safeguarding natural and cultural resources. Additionally, states like Goa and Kerala have launched campaigns and missions focused on regenerative tourism and responsible tourism, respectively.

Furthermore, airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Vistara are exploring sustainable aviation fuel blends to reduce carbon emissions, while hotels like The Fern Hotels and Resorts and CGH Earth are focusing on eco-friendly accommodations and minimizing single-use amenities. The efforts towards sustainability in the travel and tourism sector in India are still ongoing, but there is a clear push towards more responsible practices.

Overall, the shift towards sustainable travel in India is not only enhancing the travel experience for tourists but also contributing to a more environmentally conscious approach to tourism in the country.