Sustainable tourism in the U.S. - statistics & facts

Sustainable tourism is defined by the UN World Tourism Organization and UN Environment Program as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” Some of the issues that have caused the need for more sustainable and ethical tourism practices include the global rise in greenhouse gas emissions, overcrowding, and a loss of socio-cultural authenticity in host communities. When adults in the United States were surveyed in 2022, over 70 percent of respondents believed that sustainable travel was important. When asked if they intended to make more sustainable travel choices the majority of U.S. travelers said they would, but only if it did not inconvenience them. Meanwhile, approximately 30 percent of respondents said that they would even if it inconvenienced them. The market size of the U.S. ecotourism sector was approximately 25.6 billion U.S. dollars in 2021.

Growth of sustainable tourism in the U.S.

In the U.S. in recent years, sustainable tourism has become a more widely recognized issue. Travelers have begun to factor sustainability into their future travel plans and even feel remorse over previously traveling unsustainably. In an August 2022 survey, 83 percent of U.S. respondents said that they experienced travel guilt about past trips they now worry may not have been sustainable. That being said, some consumers find it difficult to understand how their decisions impact the environment and therefore struggle to implement sustainability into their plans. For example, when surveyed, almost 50 percent of U.S. consumers believed that if it was easier to understand the environmental impact of their food choices, it would have a greater influence on the choices they make. For some, not all, these choices may even involve spending more money - in 2022, 25 percent of U.S. adults that participated in the Statista Global Consumer Survey said that they had paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years.

Sustainability’s impact on the U.S. hospitality industry

When looking at leading accommodation booking priorities in the U.S., 22 percent of respondents said that a brands’ approach to sustainability was a priority to them. A quarter of U.S. adults also said that they would be willing to pay more for eco-friendly accommodation. A similar share of Gen Z and Millennial respondents said that they would pay more at around 30 percent each, meanwhile, Baby Boomers were the generation with the lowest percentage of respondents willing to pay more money. Many hospitality businesses are taking this into account, making moves to become more sustainable to increase bookings and encourage brand loyalty. This can include measures such as carbon, water, and waste reduction pledges, implementing “green teams” to oversee sustainability goals, and partnering with sustainable suppliers. That being said, in August 2022, the main reason stated that U.S. consumers didn’t stay in a hotel with sustainable practices was that there were no eco-friendly properties where they went, showing that there is still some room for improvement in this area.

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.

Market size of the ecotourism sector in the U.S.: 25.6bn USD

Share of U.S. travelers that think sustainable travel is important: 73%

Leading sustainable travel initiative U.S. travelers are willing to adopt: Using a travel mug/water bottle

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Share of consumers that have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years in the United States as of February 2022

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

U.S. consumers who have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years 2022

Share of travelers that intend to make more sustainable travel decisions in the United States as of March 2022

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

Share of travelers that plan to make sustainable travel choices in the U.S. 2022

Extra cost travelers would be willing to pay to make a trip more carbon friendly in the United States as of March 2022

Travel, Tourism & Hospitality

How much more travelers would pay to make a trip more sustainable in the U.S. 2022

Recommended statistics

Overview

Premium Statistic Market size of the ecotourism sector in the U.S. 2020-2021
Market size of the ecotourism sector in the U.S. 2020-2021
Market size of the ecotourism sector in the United States from 2020 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Premium Statistic Travelers who find sustainable travel important in the U.S. 2022
Travelers who find sustainable travel important in the U.S. 2022
Share of travelers that think sustainable travel is important in the United States as of February 2022
Premium Statistic Share of travelers that plan to make sustainable travel choices in the U.S. 2022
Share of travelers that plan to make sustainable travel choices in the U.S. 2022
Share of travelers that intend to make more sustainable travel decisions in the United States as of March 2022
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. travelers that feel guilty over non-eco-friendly past travel 2022
Share of U.S. travelers that feel guilty over non-eco-friendly past travel 2022
Share of travelers that experience guilt over past trips not being sustainable in the United States as of August 2022
Premium Statistic Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region
Sustainable initiatives travelers would adopt worldwide 2022, by region
Main sustainable initiatives travelers are willing to adopt worldwide in 2022, by region
Premium Statistic Services U.S. consumers think they should make sustainable purchase decisions on 2022
Services U.S. consumers think they should make sustainable purchase decisions on 2022
Most important goods and services when making purchasing decisions for environmental sustainability in the United States as of August 2022
Premium Statistic Attitudes towards traveling in the U.S. 2023
Attitudes towards traveling in the U.S. 2023
Attitudes towards traveling in the U.S. as of December 2023
Premium Statistic U.S. opinions on who is responsible for implementing sustainable practices 2022
U.S. opinions on who is responsible for implementing sustainable practices 2022
Consumer opinions on who is responsible for implementing sustainable practices in the United States in 2022

Accommodation

Premium Statistic Main accommodation booking priorities in the U.S. 2022
Main accommodation booking priorities in the U.S. 2022
Leading accommodation booking priorities in the United States as of April 2022
Premium Statistic Share of U.S. travelers that would pay more for an eco-friendly hotel room 2022
Share of U.S. travelers that would pay more for an eco-friendly hotel room 2022
Share of travelers willing to pay extra for an eco-friendly hotel room in the United States as of August 2022
Premium Statistic Willingness to pay more for green accommodation in the U.S. 2021, by generation
Willingness to pay more for green accommodation in the U.S. 2021, by generation
Share of adults that would be willing to pay more money for eco-friendly accommodation in the United States as of August 2021, by generation
Premium Statistic Reasons travelers were against staying in sustainable hotels in the U.S. 2022
Reasons travelers were against staying in sustainable hotels in the U.S. 2022
Reasons travelers were against staying in a hotel with sustainable practices in the United States as of August 2022

Business travel

Premium Statistic Predictions on reduction of U.S. corporate travel spend due to green goals 2025
Predictions on reduction of U.S. corporate travel spend due to green goals 2025
Expected impact of companies' sustainable initiatives on business travel spending in the United States in 2025
Premium Statistic Accommodation booked for employees' business trips in the U.S. 2022
Accommodation booked for employees' business trips in the U.S. 2022
Most common type of accommodation employers would book for employees' business trips in the United States as of August 2022
Premium Statistic Most environment-friendly U.S. exhibition venues 2022
Most environment-friendly U.S. exhibition venues 2022
Most sustainable convention centers in the United States in 2022, based on green score

Food & drink services

Premium Statistic Eco-impact: U.S. consumers that would change food choices if better informed 2021
Eco-impact: U.S. consumers that would change food choices if better informed 2021
Share of consumers that believe if it was easier to understand the environmental impact of their food choices, it would have a greater influence on the choices they make in the United States as of March 2021
Premium Statistic U.S. consumes who believe their diet choices impact the environment 2022
U.S. consumes who believe their diet choices impact the environment 2022
Share of consumers that believe their individual food and beverage choices impact the environment in the United States as of 2022
Premium Statistic Importance of food sustainability for adults in the U.S. 2022, by generation
Importance of food sustainability for adults in the U.S. 2022, by generation
Shares of respondents who stated that food sustainability is very important to them in the United States in 2022, by generation

Extra costs

Premium Statistic U.S. consumers who have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years 2022
U.S. consumers who have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years 2022
Share of consumers that have paid extra for sustainable travel in the past two years in the United States as of February 2022
Premium Statistic How much more travelers would pay to make a trip more sustainable in the U.S. 2022
How much more travelers would pay to make a trip more sustainable in the U.S. 2022
Extra cost travelers would be willing to pay to make a trip more carbon friendly in the United States as of March 2022
Premium Statistic U.S. consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider 2022
U.S. consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider 2022
Share of consumers willing to pay extra for a sustainable travel provider in the United States as of February 2022

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