Sustainable Travel 2026: India among top-3 sustainable markets of Asia Eco-friendly travel is now the first choice of 88% Indian travelers

News India Live, Digital Desk: According to this survey released on March 18, 2026, now ‘sustainable travel’ is not just a fashion but has become a part of the lifestyle of Indian travelers. India ranks third in this list with a score of 88%.1. Ranking of Asia (Agoda Sustainable Travel Index 2026) India has overtaken many developed countries in terms of awareness among Asian countries: | Location Country Priority Thailand 95% Indonesia 93% India / Malaysia 88% Taiwan 83%2. 3 main reasons behind this shift (What’s Driving the Shift?) These are the main factors responsible for this big change in the behavior of Indian travelers: Impact on local communities (39%): The biggest reason is that Indian travelers now want to ensure that the money they spend goes directly to local people and small businesses. Natural Landscapes and Wildlife Conservation (33%): Indians are now preferring to visit places where efforts are being made to preserve nature and wildlife. Deeper engagement (16%): Travelers now want to make a meaningful and deeper connection with the culture and traditions of a destination rather than just sightseeing.3. According to the ‘Experiences over Everything’ survey, 35% of Indians are now investing in tours and activities that protect the environment. Also:Green stay: Demand for solar-powered villas and ‘zero-waste’ lodges has increased.Eco-friendly transport: Trains (especially modern trains like Vande Bharat) and electric vehicles (EVs) are being preferred over short flights.Budget 2026 impact: The Indian government allocating special budgets for ‘eco-tourism’ (like turtle trails in Odisha) has also given a boost to the sector.4. Future Trends: 90% of Indians surveyed believe that sustainable travel will be most important for them in the next three years. Tourism is no longer limited to just ‘taking photos’, rather it is becoming a means of ‘giving back to society’.