2022 Impact Tourism Report by Kind Traveler
10 Global Trends at the Intersection of Travel, Philanthropy & Sustainability
As we reach a critical precipice for our planet and its inhabitants, Kind Traveler, a pioneer in impact travel and the first Give + Get hotel booking platform that empowers travelers to make a positive impact in the communities they visit, has culled research from industry leaders and surveyed their consumer base to identify global trends shaping the future of the travel industry. The 2022 Impact Tourism Report brings together their findings and pairs them with actionable solutions for travelers.
CEO Jessica Blotter, a Board Director of Center for Responsible Travel (CREST), has made it her life's mission to educate, inspire, and create a groundswell of Kind Travelers that will make a positive impact in the communities they visit. While gathering information from hotels, charities, and destination partners, Jessica shares key information about the future of the travel industry and identifies 10 trends shaping the future of impact tourism.
“Trends give us direction, while solutions give us better pathways forward. As a former earth science teacher, education and positive change are interlinked. By creating and offering more kind choices, it’s possible to create tourism opportunities that drive positive impact and trip satisfaction. We hope this Impact Tourism Report serves as a beacon of inspiration for the industry,” shares Blotter.
The report includes:
10 trends shaping the future of impact tourism: hotels, charities & destinations
Educational, responsible travel tips to drive action
Unique examples of impact tourism including sheep meditation, sleeping with wolves, philanthropic social clubs, waste-to-candles recycling workshops, floating adventures at a bear sanctuary in Switzerland, and more creative experiences
Kind Traveler interviewed 64 partner hotels, charities, and destinations in 16 countries to uncover 10 trends that are shaping the future of impact tourism in advancing positive community and environmental impact in destinations. There were 1,014 respondents that submitted feedback in the Kind Traveler survey providing key stats:
96% of respondents noted that it’s important (noted either slightly important, fairly important, important, or very important) that their travel dollars are making a positive impact in the places they visit.
48% stated that choosing accommodations that are sustainable and socially conscious is the hardest part about traveling sustainably.
37% stated that reducing or eliminating their carbon footprint was the hardest.
The 10 key takeaways from the report stem from the travel industries’ renewed interest in sustainable & regenerative travel and community-driven initiatives:
Hotels Innovate Creative Ways to Motivate Giving
Transparency for Guests Required
Hotels + Local Charities as Catalysts for Destination Wellbeing
Opportunity for Hotels to be Regenerative Powerhouses
Measurable Sustainability Metrics: More Important Than Ever
Charities Financial Support Still Ravaged by Covid-19 Impact
Charities Create Positive Impact Experiences
Storytelling, Virtual Platforms, and Strategic Partnerships as Key Motivators
Destinations are a Key Resource for Travelers
Stewardship Pledges are Critical Roadmaps to Good
Kind Traveler and all the generous partners who gave their insight hope that these 10 trends stand to encourage and inspire other hotels, destination managers, business or nonprofit representatives, and travelers to seek out partnerships and resources to make a positive difference. When all consumers make purchasing with purpose a priority, the industry will follow.
For the full report, visit https://www.kindtraveler.com/content/2022-kind-traveler-global-impact-tourism-report
