2009 Trends Report: Tourists Go Responsibly

By Nick Harper - 09 September 2009

The 2009 Thomson and First Choice Trends Report has revealed that over half of British tourists prefer to book holidays through companies that display green business practices.

Six out of ten people said they would opt to use travel agents and tour operators that show responsible company ethics such as employing local people, sourcing local produce and using energy-efficient accommodation.

Despite the economic downturn, ‘the environment’ and ‘sustainability’ were listed as concerns for mainstream travellers when they choose a holiday destination. Over 73% of respondents said it is important for companies to continue to invest in sustainability, even during the recession.

One third of people surveyed said they would take it upon themselves to ensure their holiday is environmentally responsible. About half believe the responsibility lies with travel companies and the government of the country they are visiting.

The report also revealed that tourists are significantly more influenced by independent holiday reviews than those that appear on tour operator websites. One in five of us are now posting holiday reviews or uploading photos to social networking sites, and 71% of Thomson and First Choice customers said independent reviews were their number one method of researching a destination. Only 39% said they valued tour operator reviews.

Dermot Blastland, managing director for TUI Travel UK & Ireland has encouraged more people to become online critics.

He said: “More people are reading than posting reviews, and we’d like to see this balance change and encourage more travellers to share their thoughts, whether they are good or bad.”

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