Travel expenses higher by eco-friendly travel?
Table of contents
The majority support sustainable travel even when travel costs go up
Luggege-free trip reduce CO2 emissions
Luggage-free trip also reduces travel costs
Luggage-free trip improves travel convenience
Introduction
Expedia, the world’s largest online travel booking site, has announced the Traveler Value Index. This is a study to clarify the values that are important when booking a trip for 8,000 people in eight countries: Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States. The survey period will be from April 16th to May 7th, 2021.
The majority support sustainable travel even when travel costs go up
What was interesting to me in this report was that the value of “eco-friendly travel” was higher than I had imagined. “Nearly three in five travelers (59%) are willing to increase their spend to make the trip more sustainable” they say. Recently, there have been reports of increasing environmental awareness in various fields, but I thought that the majority of people said that they would consider the environment as long as the cost burden did not increase.
For example, in Japan, 80-90% of users purchase refill packs such as shampoo, conditioner and detergent (2013 survey by MyVoiceCom Co., Ltd.), but the top reason for purchasing is “cheap price” (78.6%). This is followed by “reducing garbage” at 65.0%, “wasteful containers” at 47.8%, and “environmental consideration” at 30.4%. Therefore, I thought that people would not take action if they were environmentally conscious but not cheap after all.
However, the latest Expedia survey says, “Nearly three in five travelers (59%) are willing to increase their spend to make the trip more sustainable”. From this, I was very surprised that the heightened environmental awareness might have reached another dimension. As is the case in Japan, it seems that more and more people want to take action as their own affairs due to the abnormal weather caused by climate change that they feel every day. It’s a nice surprise and I think it’s a very positive move.
Luggege-free trip reduce CO2 emissions
The “rental business at travel destinations” that we plan to provide can provide a great effect on reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes. For example, on a round trip between Tokyo and New York, if you do not bring 20 kg of luggage on an airplane, you can reduce CO2 emissions by 16.6 days of Japanese average compared to when you bring it on an airplane. If you have four family members, you can reduce CO2 emissions by more than two months. Even in nearby Taiwan and Hong Kong, it will be effective in reducing CO2 emissions for 3-5 days. People who take environmental issues seriously every day may find the effect very effective.
Until now, rentals at travel destinations have been limited to special activities such as “skiing,” “golf,” and “scuba diving.” This was not because it was environmentally friendly, but because it was heavy and difficult to carry, and it was cheaper to rent it according to usage because it was not used many times. However, in the future, due to heightened environmental awareness such as the survey at the beginning, there may be a movement to rent what you need at your travel destination instead of taking your own luggage.
However, if the cost does not change or is cheaper even if CO2 emissions are reduced, it will be easier for more people to accept the rental business at the travel destination.
Luggage-free trip also reduces travel costs
Costs of carrying large luggage (LCC checked baggage fee 8,000 to 20,000 yen, extra taxi fare increase of 5,000 to 20,000 yen due to carrying large luggage, locker fee of around 1,000 yen at tourist destinations, after returning home The coin laundry fee (around 1,000 yen, etc.) is 15,000 to 42,000 yen (140 USD – 380 USD) in my calculation. Of course, this depends on your travel style, so please calculate. If the baggage cost is close to my calculation, it is cheaper to rent what you need at your travel destination than to bring your own baggage.
Luggage-free trip improves travel convenience
In addition, it improves convenience and saves time by not carrying large luggage. Therefore, by renting what you need at your travel destination, you can enjoy the four benefits of reduced environmental impact, lower cost, improved convenience, and time savings.
Why don’t you go on an overseas trip with just your smartphone and passport? Of course, domestic travel can be done with just a smartphone. Do you still need luggage for your trip?