As the world reckons with the environmental cost of travel, Indian travellers are increasingly aligning their vacation plans with the values of sustainability. Booking.com’s Travel & Sustainability Report 2025 reveals that a resounding 87% of Indian travellers intend to travel more sustainably over the next year, focusing on reducing waste, conserving energy, and making conscious choices around food, wildlife, and transport.

“Indian travellers are demonstrating a clear and growing commitment to sustainable travel — not just in their intentions, but in their actions,” said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com. “From opting for greener transport and reducing waste, to actively seeking accommodations with credible sustainability credentials, Indians today are looking to make a meaningful difference.”

The findings are based on a comprehensive global survey involving over 32,000 respondents from 34 countries, including 1,000 from India. 

A closer look at the numbers shows that sustainability is no longer a niche aspiration, but part of daily planning for many Indian tourists. Over half (52%) plan to use greener transport during their trips, 51% are aiming to reduce waste, and 50% will prioritise energy savings. Water conservation is also gaining ground, with 45% of respondents committing to using less water while travelling.

The shift is not limited to logistics and utilities. Conscious choices around food and wildlife are growing in prominence—49% of Indian travellers are willing to make more mindful food choices and opt for sustainable stays, while 48% actively intend to avoid wildlife-harming activities.

Sustainability is becoming a filter

One clear takeaway from the report is the demand for transparency and choice when it comes to sustainable options. A growing share of Indian travellers are looking for tools that help them identify greener experiences—75% want the ability to filter for sustainability in tours and activities, 74% in accommodations, 72% in rental cars, and 69% in flights.

There’s also a call for uniformity across the sector: 71% of Indian respondents believe all travel platforms should adopt consistent sustainability labels, and 72% said they would feel better about flying if the flight offered lower emissions.

Cost, however, remains a consideration—61% of Indian travellers still perceive certified sustainable options as more expensive. Yet, the intent remains clear. When presented with greener alternatives on a travel platform, 29% are most likely to choose sustainable accommodation, followed by sustainable tours and activities (26%), electric or hybrid rental cars (15%), and lower-emission flights (14%).

In India, places like Kanha and Khawasa in Madhya Pradesh, Panaji and Candolim in Goa, and heritage cities like Agra and Jodhpur stand out for offering greener lodging options. Globally, destinations such as Geneva, Den Haag, Winnipeg, and Hamburg feature prominently for offering eco-conscious stays.

This shift is not just about demand but also about how the supply side is responding. “At Booking.com, we aim to make every step of the travel journey more meaningful and aligned with the values of today’s conscious Indian traveller—through highlighting stays with credible third-party sustainability certifications or equipping properties with the training and guidance they need to reduce their environmental impact,” added Kumar.