Travel Notes blog
Where in the World are the Most Eco-Conscious Travellers?
by Laura Bardell-Smith
5 min read

Where in the World are the Most Eco-Conscious Travellers?

Where in the World are the Most Eco-Conscious Travellers?
Eco-friendly travel is on the rise - but where in the world are the most eco-conscious travellers? To find out if your country or city made the list, explore the findings from our latest internal study.
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Sustainable tourism and eco-friendly holidays are growing in popularity, with budding environmentalists doing whatever they can to see the world in a more eco-friendly way. But where in the world are these eco-conscious travellers located?

Our most recent internal study taps into the latest online search data, revealing the top 10 countries and top 10 cities where people are most concerned about travelling in a way that reduces their impact on the planet.

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Top 10 countries with the most eco-conscious travellers

As sustainability continues to become more prominent around the world, some countries are paving the way through their mindful citizens, who are taking extra steps to travel in an eco-conscious manner.

With a culture that encourages exploration and indulging in a sense of wanderlust, Americans top the list in terms of citizens with an interest in sustainable travel. Here are the top 10 countries in the world, according to our research:

Country

Total searches

USA

99,050

India

69,400

UK

66,530

France

44,460

Indonesia

28,090

Australia

25,220

Sweden

24,060

Italy

99,050

Canada

23,110

Germany

21,800

Top 10 cities with the most eco-conscious travellers

Having uncovered the countries with the most eco-conscious travellers, we now move to specific cities where ecotourism is a priority for its residents.

Londoners top the list, with many of its jetsetters packing light and considering the environmental effects of their decisions even while they’re abroad. The other cities that have made our top 10 list have locals with a similar mindset:

City

Total searches

London, UK

23,430

New York, USA

16,960

Paris, France

16,540

Sydney, Australia

10,480

Mumbai, India

9,540

Bangkok, Thailand

9,480

Istanbul, Turkey

8,530

Dubai, UAE

8,360

Toronto, Canada

7,870

Melbourne, Australia

7,680

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Crafting an ethical travel itinerary in Italy

Italy is known for being an eco-innovator in Europe, with places like Sicily and Puglia drawing in visitors all year long and vastly increasing population size during the peak travel season. There’s no better way to enjoy your Italian holiday than to add sustainable and ethical activities to your travel itinerary - not only is it good for the local population, you’ll feel especially good knowing you’ve done your part to promote thoughtful travel.

Whether it’s a gentle walk on the beach, a cycling adventure through the city or traversing the biodynamic countryside, Italy encourages ethical travel in a variety of ways. We particularly recommend eating locally and seasonally. There’s no better way to support the community than by patronising a small business that’s been in a Sicilian family for years - and the local, seasonal fruits and vegetables will taste all the better for it.

Find your dream Italian destination

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Eco-friendly activities in Greece

Greece is lovely to visit year round, whether you choose to holiday on the mainland or an idyllic island like Corfu, Lefkada, Zakynthos or Skopelos. The country is now home to no less than 10 outstanding protected wetlands, housing thousands of immaculate natural habitats and an array of unique local species.

What’s more, there is a selection of eco-friendly activities those interested in a sustainable holiday can partake in. For example, the country is home to a selection of outstanding protected wetlands that you can visit, which house thousands of immaculate natural habitats and an array of unique local species.

Ecotourists are always happy to hear that there are an abundance of activities to dig their heels into, including bird watching, sunset horse riding experiences and even caving. Visiting one of the many markets offering sustainable fished local seafood is another activity not to be missed.

Peruse our full selection of Greek villa

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Sustainable activities to do on Corsica

France has some of the most environmentally mindful citizens in the world, with the country ranking fourth on the most recent Global Sustainability Index. For this reason, along with many others, a stay on Corsica, which is just off the French coast, is an absolute must.

From a walking guided tour where you can explore its cultural landmarks to a trail hike in the exceptional Col de Bavella or taking part in eco-friendly water sports like kitesurfing, kayaking or paddle boarding, Corsica offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience while keeping their journey as eco-conscious as possible.

View our Corsican villas

Eco-friendly travel is a good way to make a contribution to sustainability while on holiday. The smallest of decisions and actions can yield powerful collective change, preserving the health of the planet and keeping its natural resources available for as many people as possible to explore.

Reach out to us when you are ready to begin planning your next adventure - we would be happy to help you make it as sustainable as possible.

Methodology

To find the most eco-conscious travellers in the world, we conducted keyword research around terms that people search for when looking to be more environmentally friendly while on holiday.

We looked at a mixture of generic terms (eg. eco-friendly holidays) as well as methods of travel (eg. eco-friendly airlines), sustainable hotels (eg. eco-friendly resort) and environmentally friendly suitcases and luggage (eg. sustainable luggage brands).

Once we had our keyword list, we used a keyword research tool to see which countries had the largest search volume and recorded the results. For the breakdown of cities, we used the same process, but split by the capital cities in each country.

* Data accurate as of July 2022.