When we take climate change into account, together with inflation, the deficiency of electrical energy, and the overuse of plastic, we can understand why sustainability is becoming fundamental.
Unfortunately, the things we were afraid of decades ago have become our present. To save our planet and ourselves, we must become more eco-conscious and take the right measures in every industry.
One of those industries is, of course, tourism. Tourism has a major impact on the environment; thankfully, numerous people are becoming aware of it. That’s why ecotourism is winning the spotlight in recent years, and more travelers are taking measures to reduce the environmental consequences while traveling.
Many things can be done, like choosing an eco-friendly accommodation, reducing single-use plastic and waste, and opting for local and green cuisine.
Suppose you are curious about how many people travel more sustainably and select an eco-friendly hotel or the number of travelers who recycle and save energy and water. In that case, you are in the right place.
When reading these nature based hotels statistics, you will find out the size of the ecotourism market, the leading sustainable countries in the world, and even the top nature-based hotel picks in 2022.
The Freshest Nature Based Hotels Statistics
- In 2022, the leading country in sustainable tourism in Europe is Sweden.
- The size of the global ecotourism market was $181.1 billion in 2019.
- The ecotourism market worldwide contributes around 3% to 8% to the total tourism and travel market.
- In February 2022, 81% of global travelers thought ecotourism was important.
- 78% of travelers planned on staying at least once in an eco-friendly accommodation at the beginning of 2022.
- 8% of carbon emissions in the world are because of tourism.
- 49% of travelers started recycling daily in 2021.
- In 2021, 46% of travelers were worried about single-use waste.
- 49% of people who travel thought there weren’t enough sustainable tourism options in 2021.
- A huge 84% of travelers wanted to minimize waste on their trips.
- In 2021, 83% of tourists wanted to save energy and reduce its use while traveling.
- The Svart eco-hotel in Norway is the world’s first energy-positive hotel.
Nature Based Hotels Statistics
1. In 2022, the leading country in sustainable tourism in Europe is Sweden
Sweden is the leading country in Europe that practices and invests in sustainable tourism. The hospitality industry in Sweden is trying to offer its guests an eco-friendly experience by offering local cuisine and nature-based hotels.
One of the favorite eco-hotels for tourists in the country is the Treehotel, which provides a completely different accommodating adventure.
Instead of classic hotel rooms, this hotel offers pod-like structures which have a minor impact on the environment and lay in a pine-tree forest in Northern Sweden.
2. Other ecotourism-practicing countries as of 2022 are New Zealand and Costa Rica
Sustainable countries such as New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Kenya are top picks for tourists in the mood for a more exotic travel adventure.
In detail, New Zealand has many eco-friendly hotels, including the stunning Helena Bay Lodge.
On the other hand, Costa Rica has been recognized for years as one of the most sustainable countries. This country practices ecotourism flawlessly and protects its breathtaking flora and fauna.
One of the sustainable hotels worth mentioning in Costa Rica is the Tabacon Resort and Spa, in the rainforests of the Arenal Volcano National Park.
3. The size of the global ecotourism market was $181.1 billion in 2019
(Statista)
Ecotourism statistics reveal that the ecotourism market was valued at $181.1 billion in 2019.
With a CAGR of 14.3%, this market’s size is projected to grow to $333.8 billion in 2027.
4. The ecotourism market worldwide contributes around 3% to 8% to the total tourism and travel market
According to ecotourism data, around 3% to 8% of the global tourism and travel market belongs to ecotourism.
In the future, the demand for sustainable tourism will rise, resulting in an even bigger share of the global tourism industry.
5. In February 2022, 81% of global travelers thought ecotourism was important
(Statista)
People worldwide are becoming more aware of climate change’s risks and are trying to be more environmentally conscious.
That can be confirmed by the fact that in February 2022, 81% of global travelers believed that ecotourism and sustainability when traveling are crucial.
6. 78% of travelers planned on staying at least once in an eco-friendly accommodation at the beginning of 2022
(Statista)
As per the 2022 nature based hotels statistics, 78% of worldwide travelers planned on picking at least once an eco-friendly lodge during the year.
Unfortunately, the number of people interested in nature-based accommodations and hotels this year decreased from that in 2021. To be precise, in 2021, 81% of tourists intended to spend their trip or vacation days in an eco-friendly lodge at least once.
7. 8% of carbon emissions in the world are because of tourism
(Sustainable Travel International)
According to research on travel and sustainability, 8% of carbon emissions in the world are because of tourism. Most of the impact is made by travelers from high-income countries, including the USA.
The highest percentage, or 49%, of the carbon footprint from tourism comes from transport. Goods also contribute 12% to the carbon impact of tourism, while food is responsible for 10%.
Importantly, between 2005 and 2016, tourism transport emissions increased by 60% and more.
8. In 2021, 82% of US people said that the Covid-19 pandemic had influenced them to travel more sustainably
(CNBC)
In 2021, 82% of people believed that the Covid-19 pandemic had changed their views on traveling. Accordingly, they thought the pandemic influenced them to travel more responsibly in the future.
Furthermore, 72% of people stated that travel should back up local communities and economies and protect cultural heritages and the planet itself.
Crucially, 83% of people said that they care about sustainable travel. In contrast, 48% thought they would practice eco-travel if it weren’t inconvenient.
9. Travelers and governments in Europe started caring more about ecotourism in 2021
In 2021, the environmental consciousness in Europe continued to grow, and travelers demanded more nature-based traveling.
The nature based tourism statistics from 2021 show that 15% of Germans considered nature the most important goal in their travels.
Additionally, millennials and youth started turning towards ecotourism, which made European countries offer more sustainability.
10. Millennials would pay more for a hotel room with plants
(Skift)
Nature based hotels statistics illustrate that around ¼ of millennials are willing to pay $50-$100 more if their hotel room is full of plants.
11. In 2021, 72% of travelers stated that we must all act more consciously to save the Earth
(Booking)
After the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers seem more aware of the impact of tourism on the environment.
In 2021, 72% of travelers said that we, as a civilization, must take steps and act to save the Earth for future generations. As a result, travelers started to include other priorities in their daily lives.
12. 49% of travelers started recycling daily in 2021
(Booking)
Among those priorities that travelers started practicing in 2021 is recycling. Research shows that 49% of travelers prioritized recycling in 2021.
In addition, 42% prioritized food waste, 34% started walking and cycling and skipping public transport and automobiles, and 33% began to avoid single-use plastic.
13. In 2021, 46% of travelers were worried about single-use waste
(Booking)
Regarding eco-consciousness, the biggest worry for travelers in 2021 was single-use waste, like plastic bottles. Most travelers, or 46%, were worried about this environmental problem.
Furthermore, 38% were concerned about the harm to wildlife and nature, and 30% about overcrowding in popular tourist destinations.
Lastly, only 29% cared the most about CO2 emissions and their impact on the planet.
14. 49% of people who travel thought there weren’t enough sustainable tourism options in 2021
(Booking)
In 2021, 49% of global travelers thought that there weren’t enough sustainable tourism options available for them to pick from.
Moreover, nature-based hotel statistics indicate that 40% of travelers believed accommodations should use clear labels, so they can decide which of them are sustainable.
Another 41% stated they didn’t know how to find sustainable travel picks when booking, and 37% wanted to see a sustainable filter when using online booking.
15. 32% of travelers weren’t aware of how they could achieve ecotravel in 2021
(Booking)
32% of people who traveled in 2021 didn’t know what steps to implement to make their trips more sustainable.
Similarly, 33% of trip-goers saw their vacation time as a special period for relaxing and unwinding and didn’t worry about sustainability.
16. A huge 84% of travelers wanted to minimize waste on their trips
(Booking)
Sustainable travel statistics from 2021 show that 84% of travelers were worried and wanted to minimize general waste on their traveling journeys.
17. In 2021, 83% of tourists wanted to save energy and reduce its use while traveling
(Booking)
According to nature based hotels statistics, 83% of tourists were willing to reduce energy use while staying in hotels. They said they would gladly turn off air conditioning or lights when they are out of their rooms.
Another 76% of tourists were bothered by unnecessary water waste. Therefore they were enthusiastic about reusing hotel towels and were okay with not having their room cleaned every day.
18. The Svart eco-hotel in Norway is the world’s first energy-positive hotel
The Svart, located above the Arctic circle, is the first energy-positive hotel that opened its doors in 2021.
As per the nature based hotels statistics, the Svart uses solar energy, and its goal is to minimize energy consumption and waste by 85%, compared to normal modern hotels.
19. The Garonga Safari Camp in South Africa is one of the most sustainable accommodations in the world
The Garonga Safari Camp aims to reduce the CO2 footprint. Therefore, the hotel camp utilizes solar panels for 30% of its energy consumption.
According to nature based hotels statistics, the Garonga Safari Camp uses a heat pump and biogas systems. Thus, the electrical energy power use is decreased by 80%. Plus, food and natural waste are turned into gas used for cooking.
20. The Soneva Kiri sustainable hotel in Thailand has a carbon calculator
One of the most luxurious and, at the same time, most eco-friendly hotels is located in Thailand’s tropical rainforests.
Interestingly, the Soneva Kiri hotel has its carbon calculator, which monitors the total footprint of its services and operations.
Conclusion
As these nature based hotels statistics uncover, ecotourism and sustainable accommodation are transforming the industry. Eco-conscious people in the tourism sector do their best to offer travelers exemplary sustainable choices, and more nature-based hotels have been built in recent years.
Moreover, travelers seem to have become more mindful of ecology and sustainability, and a good portion has been making various adjustments when traveling to contribute to ecotourism and save and recover the Earth’s nature and environment.
However, is it enough?
We hope that you can come to a conclusion and determine whether we should make even bigger and more effective changes in the present and near future.
We think it’s becoming critical to do so, and we are optimistic that we will all support the growth of ecotourism and realize its importance.