French and Germans more into eco-friendly hotels than Brits
One in 10 European holidaymakers book eco-friendly hotels, according to a survey of more than 3,000 holidaymakers by Germany-based TUI Group.
The survey, which targeted people who had travelled in the last two years but not necessarily with TUI, found German and French tourists show an above-average tendency to book sustainable accommodation, – 17% of all German respondents and 18% of all French.
In the UK and Belgium, 9% of customers prefer sustainable holidays, while the figure dropped to 6% of Swedish and 5% of Dutch.
"The survey shows that sustainable travel is in vogue among holidaymakers," saidThomas Ellerbeck, member of TUI~’s Group Executive Committee and responsible for sustainability.
"This trend relates both to ecological and social sustainability. Sustainability factors that are becoming increasingly popular in the tourism sector include environmental protection, biodiversity, and better social standards for the local population in the destination.
"Two thirds of the respondents surveyed say that tour operators are responsible for offering sustainable holidays and should provide better information."
Ellerbeck said the findings confirm TUI’s sustainability strategy, aimed at delivering 10 million greener and fairer holidays per year from 2020.
"The results of the survey should encourage the entire tourism sector to drive joint sustainability standards further ahead, based, among other factors, on sustainability certification for hotels such as the schemes recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council," he added.
But the survey also identified current obstacles to greater sustainability in tourism.
More than half (55%) of respondents criticised a lack of information and choice, while 66% of respondents believe responsibility for sustainable travel primarily lies with the travel companies rather than themselves.
“In the customers’ view, tour operators should attach particular importance to offering fresh local or regional food products at hotels – and avoiding waste,” said TUI.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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