Survey finds Australians are prepared to pay extra for eco-travel

A recent survey of 1003 Australians conducted by Censuswide for Rentalcarprotection.com.au has revealed 88% of Australians are willing to change their future holiday habits to lessen their environmental impact.

The survey conducted between 29th November and 6th December 2019, which asked Australians about their concern for the environment when going on holiday, shows that the biggest changes people are willing to make to ensure their future holidays are more eco-friendly include travelling by public transport (53%), being mindful of their energy use (52%), and booking eco-friendly accommodation (44%).

Some are willing to make more drastic changes than public transport and mindful energy use. 32% said they will look to holiday domestically rather than travel abroad, and 27% would be willing to holiday less frequently to protect the environment. Over two-thirds (68%) said they would be happy paying extra for their holiday to offset the carbon they use, with the average Australian willing to pay 4.25% on top of their usual holiday price. Based on the average holiday cost spent by Australians according to Visa’s Global Travel Intentions Study 2018, this would equate to an extra $169 on top of the cost of their holiday to offset their carbon emissions*.

When asked what motivated them to change their habits, 31% said the nature and wildlife they’ve seen while away inspired them to reduce their environmental impact. A further 30% said they are worried about the future impact of climate change. 21% said they have been influenced by climate change activists such as Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough bringing attention to these issues.

Despite so many Australians expressing willingness to change their habits for the benefit of the environment, 90% identified barriers stopping them from being more eco-friendly when they book their next holiday. The biggest barriers were:

• Higher costs to be environmentally friendly – 43%

• Lack of information from travel companies – 39%

• The desire to holiday where they want – 29%

Education on the subject was highlighted as a barrier and was a common theme throughout the research. 64% of Australians feel there isn’t enough education provided to people around reducing the environmental impact of their holiday. This was further evidenced by the 39% who said a lack of information from companies prevents them being more eco-friendly, and the one-in-ten (10%) who said they don’t know how to reduce the environmental impact of their holiday.

Although many Australians said they would be committing to change, 14% still believe their holiday doesn’t have any impact on the environment.

Ernesto Suarez, Chief Executive of rentalcarprotection.com.au, commented on the research “in 2018, it was reported that the tourism industry accounts for 8% of total carbon emissions, so there is no denying it is a big player in climate change. Holidays are a luxury we all look forward to throughout the year and are becoming more accessible as the ease of travel increases.

“It’s important that the media, travel companies and holidaymakers work together to ensure people can enjoy their holiday with minimal damage to the environment. The best way we can do this is by educating ourselves and going that extra mile to do our bit to be eco-friendly during our time soaking up the sun.”

*The average amount Australians are willing to pay to offset their emissions was calculated using the average amount people spend on holidays according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study 2018 (US$2,745). At current rate of exchange this works out at AU$3,979. Applying the mean 4.25% figure to this is calculated as AU$169.

Click here for more information on Rentalcarprotection.com.au

Image: North Queensland's Wangetti Trail. The Queensland Government has announced more than $5 million to complete the first phase of an ecotourism experience, the seven kilometre ‘Mowbray North’ component of the 94 kilometre Wangetti Trail.