New survey shows 73% of people want their travel dollars to benefit local people
As we look ahead to when we can travel again, it’s clear travellers want to make a difference with their vacation choices; they want to immerse themselves in local culture and ensure their travel benefits local people in the destinations they visit, which are likely to be more remote or lesser-visited places than they would have travelled to pre-pandemic.
The results come from a recent survey conducted by adventure operator and pioneer of community tourism, G Adventures. The survey of more than 3,000 travellers was designed to reveal travellers’ ‘retravel resolutions’ in terms of why they want to head out into the world again, what is most important to them when they do, and how they will change their travel behaviours to have a more positive impact on the planet and its people.
When asked the main reason why they wanted to travel again, the top answer from travellers was to immerse themselves in a different culture (61%) followed by the desire to reconnect with the world (56%), with one third of travellers (35%) also looking to connect with nature on their next international trip.
When it comes to what is important to Canadians when they travel again, the majority consider the most important factor in their holiday choice to be that their money benefits local people (73%) followed by ensuring wildlife is protected where they go (53%). Nearly half of travellers (45%) want to avoid over-touristed destinations on their next trip, with 60% of Canadians stating that they will visit more remote places / less visited areas of a destination when they retravel.
The respondents were also asked to commit to one ‘big small action’ they could take to ensure they travel better, as and when international travel returns. The most common commitment was to support local people and businesses at 37%. This was closely followed by doing more research before they book their trip at 34%, with a further 17% of travellers making a commitment to reduce plastic and/or bring a reusable bottle with them when they go.
