Booking.com's latest findings have underscored the growing importance of sustainable travel, and many New Zealanders have acknowledged its significance.
The research from over 31,000 travellers across 34 countries and territories focused on consumers' changing attitudes toward travel.
Over 50 percent of New Zealand respondents stated that sustainable travel was important but was not a primary consideration when planning or booking travel.
Contrasting, 29 percent of travellers reported that they were tired of hearing about the reoccurring topic of climate change.
"While many travellers from New Zealand have retained a sense of optimism and a desire to have a more positive impact, there is a critical opportunity for the industry to accelerate efforts to make those choices easier for everyone," said Todd Lacey, Regional Manager of Booking.com in Oceania.
"Regardless of where they are on their sustainability journey, be it booking a hotel, holiday home, rental car, flight or attraction on Booking.com, we want to empower Kiwi travellers to explore the world more responsibly by making choices that reduce their environmental footprint without compromises.
"To support this, we can collaboratively accelerate efforts to make those choices easier for all while putting sustainability at the forefront of how we travel."
Around 60 percent of Kiwi travellers felt that witnessing sustainable practices during travels has inspired them to be more sustainable, and 47 percent believe that governments have the most potential for countering the economic impacts of travel.
The research also revealed a sense of weariness regarding sustainable travel. Some travellers don't recognise the importance of being more mindful of their impact, with 25 percent believing that the damage already done is irreversible and that their travel choices will not make a difference.
Over 26 percent of New Zealand travellers don't believe climate change is as severe as people make it out to be.
Read more local news here.
