Ethical holidays top of consumer's holiday wishes

Whether it is as a result of consumerism, eco-guilt or simply being tired of package holidays, it seems that British holidaymakers, like never before, want to experience the concept of meaningful travel – ‘ethical holidays’ has come top of a list of types of holiday most likely to experience a boom in the next three years.

A detailed market analysis report by YouGov, which surveyed 2,000 British adults and looked at 14 different categories, has revealed that when comparing holidays taken in the last three years with intended trips in the next three, ‘ethical holidays’ showed the biggest growth (330%); ‘safari holidays’ were second (263%); and ‘environmentally friendly’ third (212%).

‘Nature/wildlife’ (205%) and ‘discovery’ (150%) made up the top five, while holidays involving a ‘small group’ (5%) and ‘cultural/sightseeing’ (17%) performed the worst.

Simon Edgar, at i-to-i, which over the last year has sent over 5000 people on unique and rewarding travel experiences said: “If the British public’s intentions are anything to go by, holidays with an ethical or environmental angle, or generally those with some meaning attached to them, are set to experience a boom in growth in the next three years.”

i-to-i, established in 1996, offers travel experiences working with communities, children, animals and the environment. Visit i-to-i.com for more information.