As we’ve all spent more time in our home countries than ever before, the pandemic has heightened a deep sense of connection to the people around us. The time off international travel has many reflecting on what they have missed most about travelling further afield, and the vital role local culture plays in the overall holiday experience.
Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report explores attitudes not only towards environmental but also cultural sustainability and the importance of conserving cultural beliefs, practices and heritage – particularly when it comes to exploring the world beyond our own borders.
Specifically, the research reveals how many travellers report wanting to experience a deeper cultural understanding of a destination and help local communities flourish again. Three quarters (74%) of Aussie travellers expressed a desire for their travel to benefit cultural preservation.
Additionally, over three quarters (70%) of Kiwi travellers, our only international visitors for the foreseeable future, say they are now determined to have genuine experiences that reflect our local culture when they next travel.
The research uncovers how the travel hiatus has opened Australians’ eyes to the impact, both positive and negative, that their trips can have on local ecosystems and communities around the world.
For the 65% of Australians looking for authentic cultural experiences when on holiday within their native land, the options are endless.
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Booking.com is encouraging Aussies to explore our rich cultural heritage experiences available within our local tourism sector. From adventure tours with Wajaana Yaam to learning about traditional art with Maruku Artsto or sightseeing the beautiful top end with Yingana (the Creation Mother) – Arnhem Land Injalak Hill tour or Pudakul Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Australia’s deep history is breathtaking and awe inspiring.
The nation’s capital, Canberra (Ngunnawal, Ngunawal, and Ngambri Country), also has plenty to offer. The National Gallery of Australia is home to the world’s largest collection of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. At 3pm every day at the National Museum, members of the local Ngunawal and Ngambri peoples host a First Australian’s Indigenous Australia Tour.
Additionally, Booking.com’s research uncovered two thirds of Australian (69%) and Kiwi (68%) travellers want the money they spend when travelling to go back to the local community, supporting local businesses who have struggled through the pandemic.
Three quarters (72%) of Australians and Kiwis say they will do activities/see sights to ensure that their economic impact is spread equally across all levels of society locally, whether that’s shopping at small independent stores or having authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture.
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