Sustainability not top priority for half of Singapore travellers

75% said they aim to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months. 

About 50% of Singapore travellers see sustainable travel as important but not their primary consideration when planning or booking trips, according to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2024.

“Whilst the annual research reveals a continued sense of desire and awareness, with 80% of Singapore travellers confirming that sustainable travel is important to them, new insights show a sense of weariness could be emerging globally, fuelled by the ongoing challenges that travellers experience to make more sustainable travel choices,” the report said.

The report, based on insights from over 31,000 travellers across 34 countries and territories, also showed that 34% expressed fatigue with constant discussions about climate change.

Looking ahead, 75% of Singapore travellers aim to travel more sustainably in the next year. Yet, 44% admitted they would feel guilty about making less sustainable choices. 

Moreover, some travellers doubt the impact of their choices due to perceived irreversible environmental damage (42%) and skepticism about the severity of climate change (31%).

Seventy percent of Singapore travellers also aspire to leave destinations better than they found them. Additionally, 48% see governments as crucial in countering economic impacts, while 44% believe travel service providers should address environmental concerns. 

In terms of sustainable accommodations, 33% find them more appealing and 69% advocate for consistent certification standards across travel booking platforms. However, 71% desire clearer information sustainability certifications.

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Meanwhile, about 64% feel their best when traveling sustainably and 72% are inspired by eco-friendly practices. Sustainable behaviors are also seen as enriching experiences, with 97% finding local tours, 92% shopping at independent stores, and 91% using eco-friendly transport as value-added activities.

“Whilst many travellers have retained a sense of optimism and a desire to have a more positive impact, there is a critical opportunity for the industry to accelerate efforts to make those choices easier for everyone,” said Danielle D’Silva, head of Sustainability at Booking.com. 

“It’s important that we continue ensuring that more sustainable options are not only readily available, but also easy to trust and understand,” she added.