While 83% of Aussies say that sustainable travel is important to them, it is the older generations who are putting their money where their mouths are, according to Booking.com’s new Travel & Sustainability Report.
Despite Gen Zs and Millennials expressing a stronger desire to travel sustainably in the next 12 months (80% and 76% respectively vs 68% of Gen X and 48% of Boomers), travellers aged 45 and over are showing a more robust commitment to take action.
Three in four of Boomers and more than half (55%) of Gen X said they plan to reduce general waste on upcoming trips, in comparison to 52% of Millennials and just half of Gen Z.
The figures revealed a similar story when it came to shopping at local stores, reducing energy consumption and travelling out of peak season, with Boomers taking the lead on all fronts and Gen Z lagging the furthest behind.
However, younger travellers across APAC are taking charge in other ways, with 34% of Gen Z and 31% of Millenials participating in indigenous experiences in the last year, compared to 25% of Gen X and 21% of Boomers. Gen Zs and Millennials also engaged more in wildlife conservation activities (27% and 26%, respectively), in contrast to Boomers and Gen X (13% and 20%, respectively).
Across all age groups, extreme weather is changing the way travellers plan and book their holidays, with nearly three-quarters saying they consider extreme weather risk when choosing both destination (72%) and timing (75%), and more than a quarter (27%) cancelling or changing their trip in the last 12 months due to severe weather.
The Booking.com report also revealed that Australians plan to travel more sustainability by avoiding overcrowded destinations (43%) and booking outside of peak season (42%).
Todd Lacey, regional manager Oceania, said: “Booking.com’s 2026 Travel & Sustainability Report shows that while understandings of what constitutes sustainable travel may differ, adapting to extreme weather and actively avoiding crowds are now becoming the norm for all.”
“Regardless of generational differences, Australians are continuing to evolve how they approach sustainability when they travel, from choosing third-party-certified accommodation and travelling off-peak, to engaging more deeply with local cultures and communities.”
