In alignment with World Environment Day on June 5, celebrated this year under the theme “Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future,” Booking.com has released new data showing that for Indian travellers, conscious travel has matured into a year-round commitment.
According to Booking.com’s Travel and Sustainability Report 2026, Indian travellers are becoming more conscious of their impact on destinations, communities and the environment, with many actively trying to travel more responsibly. The research highlights how sustainability is steadily becoming part of everyday travel planning, influencing everything from destination choices to booking habits.
Nearly three-quarters (74%) of Indian travellers believe people need to act now and make more sustainable choices to preserve the planet for future generations. At the same time, 72% say they are more determined to travel more sustainably now than they were a year ago, reflecting rising awareness around the long-term impact of tourism.
Travel is also becoming more purposeful for many Indian travellers. More than half (58%) say they want to leave the places they visit better than when they arrived, while 71% say seeing sustainable practices while travelling inspires them to adopt similar habits in their everyday lives. This suggests sustainability is beginning to influence not only how people travel, but also how they live.
Sustainable Travel is Increasingly Influencing How Indians Plan Their Trips
● Making Intentions Action: Nearly half (47%) of Indian travellers say they try to make more sustainable travel choices whenever possible, while 35% say sustainability consistently influences the decisions they make while travelling. Together, this reflects how responsible travel is becoming a more established part of mainstream traveller behaviour.
● Evolving Destination Preferences: Rather than focusing only on traditional tourist hotspots, many Indian travellers are increasingly looking for places that feel less crowded. Nearly half (49%) say they want to experience destinations before they become too popular, while 45% say visiting lesser-known destinations helps reduce their environmental impact. The growing interest in quieter destinations also points to rising awareness around overcrowding and its impact on local communities and experiences.
● Choosing When to Travel: Indian travellers are becoming more open to travelling outside peak periods, driven by a mix of practical and sustainability-related motivations. Among those opting for off-season travel, 71% say they want to avoid crowds, while 55% want to help reduce pressure on destinations. Better availability for accommodations and attractions (68%), along with saving money on trips (51%), are also encouraging travellers to explore off-season travel.
Travellers Want Sustainable Travel to be Easier, Clearer and More Rewarding
As sustainability becomes a bigger priority, Indian travellers are also expecting the booking experience to become more transparent and easier to navigate:
● Seeking Consistency: Nearly two-thirds (65%) believe travel websites and apps should use consistent sustainability certifications or labels, highlighting growing demand for clearer and more reliable information while planning trips.
● Filtering Future Bookings: This mindset is also shaping future booking behaviour. Around 73% plan to actively filter for more sustainable tours, attractions and activities, while 70% intend to look for accommodations with sustainability certifications. Another 68% say they are likely to filter for electric or hybrid rental vehicle options, signalling stronger intent to actively seek out lower-impact travel alternatives.
● The Importance of Affordability: At the same time, travellers want sustainable options to feel practical and accessible rather than expensive or difficult to navigate. Nearly half (47%) say discounts or financial incentives would encourage them to travel more sustainably, while 45% want advice on how to make sustainable choices while travelling on a budget. This reinforces the importance of affordability in helping more travellers adopt sustainable habits.
● Looking for Guidance and Support: Indian travellers are also looking for more support to make informed decisions while planning trips. Around 41% want clearer communication around what makes an option more sustainable, while 40% say guidance on the best times to travel to avoid overcrowding would encourage more responsible travel choices. Loyalty rewards and recommendations for alternative destinations were both cited by 38% of respondents, pointing to growing interest in smarter and more conscious ways to explore destinations.
Commenting on the research, Santosh Kumar, Regional Lead, South Asia at Booking.com, said, “As traveller expectations continue to evolve, sustainability is becoming more closely linked with the overall quality and experience of travel. Indian travellers today are looking for choices that feel more thoughtful and informed, whether that means exploring destinations outside peak periods, choosing certified stays or seeking clearer information while planning trips. At Booking.com, we are focused on helping make those choices easier to navigate through better visibility, trusted certifications and tools that support more informed travel planning across the journey whether it’s flights, stays, transport and more.”