Tourists Embrace Sustainable Travel and Demand Green Accommodations

As awareness about the environmental impact of travel grows, tourists are rethinking their relationship with the Earth and seeking sustainable travel options. Silvia Ombellini and Simone Riccardi, inspired by their struggle to find environmentally-friendly accommodations during a work trip to Italy, founded Ecobnb, a website dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism. The website lists over 3,000 properties worldwide that meet eco-friendly standards, such as using renewable energy, serving organic food, recycling waste, and using environmentally-friendly architecture. The growing interest in sustainable travel is reflected in the increasing number of travelers using Ecobnb, with 2.8 million users annually. A study also found that 69% of travelers actively seek sustainable travel options. Additionally, other companies like Conscious Hotels and Byway Travel have emerged to cater to the sustainable travel trend. Conscious Hotels operates several eco hotels that prioritize renewable energy, sustainably sourced furniture, and vegetarian food, while Byway Travel organizes flight-free trips to reduce climate impact and combat over-tourism. However, while the travel industry is taking steps towards sustainability, there is a need to address greenwashing and ensure comprehensive sustainability practices, including employment practices and equality policies. Ultimately, the responsibility lies with the traveler to research and choose truly sustainable options. Despite the challenges, the increasing interest in green travel offers hope for a more sustainable future where individual choices can collectively make a difference and be the change we want to see in the world.