Responsible TourismVirtuoso discovers that majority of luxury travellers believe sustainable travel enhances their holiday experience.

Do luxury travellers care about sustainability?

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Luxury travellers are more willing to pay for sustainable travel if they know how the funds are used.
Luxury travellers are more willing to pay for sustainable travel if they know how the funds are used. Photo Credit: iStock/Peera_Sathawirawong

Virtuoso’s March 2025 survey reveals a strong shift towards sustainability among luxury travellers. As global challenges affect travel choices, more discerning tourists are prioritising responsible tourism

Sustainability awareness

  • Rising responsibility: 68% of travellers say recent global events have made them more conscious of responsible travel, up from 55% in 2024.

  • Enhancing experience: 62% believe sustainable travel enhances their holiday experience, a significant increase from 44% last year.

Travel choices

  • Sustainability in decisions: 42% of travellers consider it “very important” to choose travel providers with strong sustainability policies, a 15% increase from 2024.

  • Overtourism solutions:

    • 32% are willing to travel to less-touristy destinations.

    • 26% prefer visiting popular destinations during off-peak seasons.

    • 30% are open to all three strategies (lesser-known destinations, off-peak travel, and paying more for access).

Willingness to pay more

  • Supporting sustainable tourism: 59% of travellers are willing to spend more on responsible travel if they understand how funds are used.

  • Greater commitment: 13% are always willing to pay a premium for sustainable options, up from 4% in 2024.

Role of travel advisors

  • Guidance from professionals: 25% of respondents say they are more likely to travel responsibly with the help of a trusted travel advisor, an increase from 16% in 2024.


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