New travel index launches to help us plan for holidays to avoid over tourism

As the summer holiday season comes to a close, many Brits will be browsing the websites and brochures of travel agents in a bid for inspiration for plans for their next holiday.

Now, new research shines a light on exactly how mindful Brits are when they’re travelling, with the data highlighting how important sustainable travel is and concerns from holidaymakers around issues such as over tourism and how their visit may be damaging the local communities in which they travel to.

This summer, there were protests across holiday hotspots such as the Canary Islands, Mallorca and Barcelona, as residents showcased their grievance against growing tourist numbers impacting the local way of life.

The research from Holiday Extras found that the majority of tourists want to leave a positive impression on the places and communities they visit. 1 in 4 (27%) holiday makers have indicated that when on a trip, it’s important for them to immerse themselves in the local culture and a quarter (27%) have a strong desire to support small, local businesses.

Aston spoke to Greame Jackson, head of startegic partnerships at The Travel Foundation and Elizabeth Hogg, chief operating officer at Holiday Extras.

Photo by Sai Kiran Anagani on Unsplash