What Locals Want: Booking.com’s Guide to More Sustainable Travel Habits Informed by Residents

Booking.com's 11th annual Travel & Sustainability Report reveals that 85% of global travelers say traveling more sustainably is important or very important to them.

Key Insights from Locals
- 85% of travelers say sustainable travel is important.
- 69% want to leave destinations better than they found them.
- Locals see positive impacts: economic growth (59%), job creation (46%), leisure options (41%).
- Downsides include traffic congestion (40%), litter/waste (37%), rising costs and overcrowding (31%).

Six Resident-Informed Tips
1. Go beyond headline destinations
- Explore smaller cities or neighborhoods (e.g., Bordeaux vs. Paris, Ari vs. Thonglor in Bangkok).
- Reduces overcrowding and spreads benefits to local communities.

2. Travel outside peak seasons
- Shoulder-season trips ease pressure on locals.
- Examples: Amalfi Coast in October–November, Australia’s Sunshine Coast in winter.

3. Get around like a local
- Use public transport, walk, or cycle.
- Cities like Singapore, Osaka, Vancouver, Seattle are highly walkable.

4. Spend where it stays
- Support local businesses, artisans, and family-run restaurants.
- 45% of travelers plan to shop at independent stores.

5. Conserve local environments
- Avoid single-use items, recycle, stick to marked paths.
- Consider less-visited parks (e.g., Samburu in Kenya, Nyerere in Tanzania).

6. Engage with local cultures
- Learn customs, dress codes, and basic language phrases.
- Respect sacred spaces and traditions to foster positive interactions.

Takeaway
The report emphasizes that small, thoughtful choices—from timing trips to spending locally—can reduce tourism’s downsides while amplifying its benefits for residents. Sustainable travel isn’t just about the environment; it’s about respecting and supporting the communities that host us.