Sarah Clark, managing director Australia and New Zealand at Intrepid
Travel, says the company’s latest Travel Index confirms just how much
the travel industry has changed from its pre-pandemic state.
“Our customers have changed and the way they want to travel has changed,” Clark said.
Intrepid’s
Travel Index combines its own statistics, externally commissioned third
party research, and a survey of local tour leaders across the globe.
“The pandemic that brought the world to grinding halt, also gave us a
rare opportunity to reassess the impacts and opportunities the travel
industry has on it,” Clark added.
“We’re excited to see the industry bounce back, so we can provide
more travellers with opportunities to experience lesser-known
destinations, immerse themselves in local cultures and continue to
create positive change through the joy of travel.”
One of the key findings of the Index was that sustainability and
responsibility are no longer nice-to-haves, they’re non-negotiables for
travellers.
A massive 89% of respondents said they were likely to choose sustainable travel options for their next trip.
The Index also revealed that, for the first time, Australians put
Australia at the top of their holiday wish list, followed by Morocco,
Vietnam (which topped the list in 2019), Egypt and Peru.