Washington, D.C. - According to the latest travelhorizons™ survey of U.S. adults conducted by MMGY Global, it is clear many travelers acknowledge their travel may negatively impact the environment. And, nearly four in ten of these travelers (37%) believe that tourism overcrowding is now a serious issue.

Encouragingly, to help reduce their ecological impact, travelers are willing to change their behaviors when they travel. For example, three in ten (32%) are willing to pay 10% higher rates or fares to patronize travel service providers who demonstrate environmental responsibility. In addition, more than half of travelers (54%) are willing to use less single-use plastics, 41% will consciously choose to visit destinations in the off-season to reduce overcrowding, 27% will intentionally book trips with environmentally-friendly hotels and tour companies, and about one in four (27%) will either rent bicycles or walk more instead of taking automobile transportation.

Despite their concerns, only 12% of those who believe travel negatively impacts the environment have regretted taking a trip afterwards because of the adverse effects it may have had on the planet. This is likely due in part to their perception that the very act of traveling has numerous positive impacts as well. One in three (34%) of travelers believe that travel plays an important role in their understanding of the impact of climate change on the world. And, a similar percentage (32%) say travel increases their desire to help people in other parts of the country or the world. Thus, in these ways, travel is seen as both a problem and a solution in the fight against climate change and global warming.

MMGY Global is the world's leading integrated travel and hospitality marketing agency. This survey questioned 2,302 U.S. adults, 1,649 who have taken at least one vacation during the last 12 months. For more information about these insights, or to obtain a copy of the full travelhorizons™ report, visit http://www.mmgyintel.com/.

About travelhorizonsTM

TravelhorizonsTM is a quarterly survey of Americans' travel intentions viewed through the lens of emerging economic, social and political developments. This iteration of the nationally representative survey of 2,302 pre-qualified adults was conducted from October 14 - 27, 2019.

About MMGY Travel Intelligence

MMGY Travel Intelligence is MMGY Global's industry research and insights brand, offering proprietary data and research including DK Shifflet, the Portrait of American Travelers® and travelhorizons™ designed to power travel industry decision-makers through consumer insights, travel performance data, and audience modeling and segmentation. To learn more about the extensive collection of research, analytics and strategy services, visit mmgyintel.com or email us at [email protected].

About MMGY Global

MMGY Global is the world's leading integrated marketing firm specializing in the travel, hospitality and lifestyle industries. With operating brands across the world, the award-winning organization maintains a global communications practice in all marketing channels, serving many of the world's premier travel and tourism brands. As a company dedicated to the travel industry, MMGY Global strives to create a connected, inclusive and peaceful world by promoting travel as a cultural bridge of understanding. For more information, visit mmgyglobal.com.

Katherine Hartley
MMGY Global