Essex travel agent says their industry should encourage more sustainable travel
This comes as new research shows sustainability is more important to travellers than ever
The owner of an Essex-based travel agent has said the industry should be taking steps to encourage more sustainable travel.
Joan Jones, owner of Braintree-based Once in a Lifetime Holidays, says it's about small changes: "We have to start planting the seed in people's mind. We give people who travel with us a reusable water bottle to take on holiday that they can re-fill. That reduces the use of plastic.
"It's a simple initiative, but it's a step to make people be mindful when they travel about how just taking small steps can make a huge difference."
Joan says they're encouraging customers to make small, manageable changes, not impossibly large ones: "Some hotels and cruise lines are now carbon neutral and you can go the whole hog, but I think it's really important that an average holiday maker can make the first step into more sustainable travel, be that thinking about reusable plastics or straws - simple things like that, then you can move on to something bigger."
This comes as new research from online travel agency booking.com found that 57% of holidaymakers in the UK say they want to travel more sustainably over the coming 12 months, an increase of 27% compared to figures from last year.
Joan says this is something she's seen reflected in her own clients: "We do get asked more now for eco-travel, wildlife, trips where animals are in their natural habitat.
"People don't want to swim with dolphins in an enclosure anymore. They're getting more mindful."
The research also found almost two thirds of travellers (63%) want to experience local culture, and one in five would be willing to pay more whilst on holiday to ensure they’re giving back to local communities.
Once again, Joan recognises this in her own customers: "People are thinking more about it - they won't ride elephants and would rather go and see elephants in sanctuaries, where they're well looked after and the environment's not being harmed."