As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, more and more people are looking for sustainable options when they travel. Sustainability in the vacation rental industry is becoming increasingly important in 2023, and many travelers are now looking for properties that have been certified as sustainable. In this article, we will discuss the reasons why you should consider getting a sustainability accreditation for your vacation rental property in 2023. We’ll also provide some statistics on the benefits of having a sustainable vacation rental, including increased bookings and higher rates.

78% of travellers are intending to stay in sustainable accommodation at least once in 2023.

In recent years, the travel industry has seen a significant shift towards sustainability. Travelers are increasingly looking for environmentally-friendly options when planning their vacations, and the vacation rental market is no exception.

A survey conducted by Booking.com in 2022 shows that 78% of travelers intend to stay in sustainable accommodation at least once in 2023. This growing trend towards eco-friendly travel is driven by a number of factors, including increasing awareness of the impact of tourism on the environment and a growing number of travelers who prioritize sustainable options when making travel plans.

This growing demand for sustainable accommodation is having a major impact on the vacation rental market. Property owners and operators who invest in sustainable practices are seeing increased bookings and higher rates for their properties.

57% of travellers would feel better staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification.

One of the most compelling reasons for property owners and managers to consider getting a sustainability certification for their vacation rental is the fact that it can help to attract more bookings. Booking.com “Sustainable Travel Report” (2022) found that 57% of travellers would feel better staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification. This highlights the importance of being able to communicate the sustainable practices that a property has in place, and a certification can provide an easy way to do this.

When travelers are searching for accommodations, they often look for properties that have been certified as sustainable. They know that these properties have been independently verified to meet certain standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability. By having a certification, property owners and managers can communicate to travellers that they are committed to sustainability and that their property is a good choice for travellers who prioritise eco-friendly options.

Certifications can also help to differentiate a property from others in a crowded market, making it more appealing to potential guests. With 57% of travellers willing to pay more for sustainable accommodation and willing to feel better staying in a sustainable place, it is a great way to cater to the demand and also contribute to the environment.

Sustainable listings on booking.com are already recording a 2% higher occupancy

Another key benefit of sustainable certification for vacation rental properties is that it can help to increase occupancy rates. Sustainable listings on booking.com are already recording a 2% higher occupancy than their
unbadged competition according to statistics by Transparent Intelligence. This is because travellers are more likely to book a sustainable property when given the choice.

This trend is likely to continue in the future as more and more travellers prioritise sustainable options when making travel plans. By having a certification, property owners and managers can signal to travellers that their property meets certain standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

In addition, many booking websites and platforms now provide a filter for sustainable properties, meaning that certified properties will be more visible to travellers who are specifically looking for sustainable options. This makes it easier for these properties to stand out and attract bookings.

It’s worth mentioning that, the study also showed that sustainable properties tend to have higher guest ratings, indicating that guests have had a more positive experience staying in these properties. This positive feedback can also help to drive bookings by building a strong reputation for the property.

Sustainable certification for vacation rental properties can help to increase occupancy rates by making properties more appealing to travelers who are looking for eco-friendly options.

61% of travellers believe that all accommodation providers should use the same sustainable certification

As the travel industry shifts towards sustainability, many travelers are looking for a consistent way to identify eco-friendly properties. Booking.com “Sustainability in Tourism” research found that 61% of travelers believe that all accommodation providers should use the same sustainable certification. This highlights the importance of having a standardized certification system in place to help travelers make informed decisions about where to stay.

Standardized certifications are essential because it makes it easier for travelers to understand what they’re getting when they book a sustainable property. With a single, recognized certification system in place, travelers can have confidence that properties displaying the certification have been independently verified to meet certain standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Having a standard certification system also helps to level the playing field for property owners and operators. It means that smaller, independent properties have the same opportunity as larger, more established properties to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and to attract bookings from environmentally conscious travelers.

Standardised certifications also makes it easier for properties to compare their sustainability performance with their peers, helping them to identify areas for improvement and stay competitive.

It’s also worth noting that, it is also helpful for the certification providers, as it increase the credibility of the certifications and more properties would be more willing to participate, resulting in a more comprehensive coverage of the market.

In conclusion, a standardised sustainable certification system can help to make it easier for travellers to identify eco-friendly properties and for property owners and operators to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. With 61% of travellers expressing their desire for a standardised system, it is an important consideration for all those in the travel and accommodation industry.

38% of travellers actively look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property.

Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important factor for travellers when choosing where to stay. The same booking.com “Sustainable Travel Report” found that 38% of travellers actively look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before booking. This highlights the need for property owners and operators to be able to communicate the sustainable practices they have in place and the importance of providing this information in a clear and transparent way.

When travellers are looking for information on the sustainability efforts of a property, they want to know what the property is doing to minimise its impact on the environment and to support local communities. Information such as the use of renewable energy sources, recycling and waste management policies, and efforts to support local communities, are all important factors that travellers want to know about.

One of the best ways to provide this information is through a sustainable certification. Having a certification provides an easy way to communicate to travellers that a property has been independently verified to meet certain standards for environmental, social and economic sustainability.

Another way to share this information is by including it in the property’s listing on booking websites and platforms, and on the property’s own website. Many travellers also appreciate when properties share their sustainability efforts on social media, as it can give them a more complete picture of the property’s values and mission.

38% of accommodation providers say they already have sustainable practices in place at their properties.

Booking.com “Sustainability in Tourism” research also found that 38% of accommodation providers say that they already have sustainable practices in place at their properties. This demonstrates the growing awareness and willingness among the industry to adopt sustainable practices and to reduce their environmental footprint.

Some of the sustainable practices that accommodation providers are implementing include: using renewable energy sources, implementing recycling and using innovative tech solutions for reducing waste, supporting local communities, and reducing water and energy consumption.

These efforts can not only help to protect the environment but they also make good business sense. Properties with sustainable practices in place are more likely to attract bookings from environmentally conscious travelers, and they can also charge higher rates. Implementing sustainable practices also helps to create a positive reputation for the property, which can lead to repeat bookings and positive word of mouth recommendations.

However, It’s important to note that, just implementing sustainable practices isn’t enough, it’s also crucial to communicate them to the guests, by having a sustainable certification or showcasing them on booking websites and platforms and own website, it will make it more visible to travellers actively seeking sustainable options.

With 38% of accommodation providers already having sustainable practices in place, it’s clear that the travel industry is taking steps to become more eco-friendly. By implementing sustainable practices, vacation rental owners and managers can attract more bookings, charge higher rates, and create a positive reputation for their properties.

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In conclusion, sustainable certification and practices are becoming more and more important for vacation rental properties. Travellers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly options when planning their vacations. Studies shows that 78% of travellers intend to stay in sustainable accommodation at least once in 2023, and 57% of travellers would feel better staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification. Additionally, sustainable listings on booking.com are already recording a 2% higher occupancy compared to non-certified properties.

Property owners and operators who invest in sustainable practices and certification will benefit by not only being environmentally responsible but also by being able to attract more bookings, and charge higher rates. Furthermore, many travelers are looking for a consistent way to identify eco-friendly properties, which is why 61% of travelers believe that all accommodation providers should use the same sustainable certification. And 38% of travelers actively look for information on the sustainability efforts of a property before booking and 38% of accommodation providers say they already have sustainable practices in place at their vacation rentals.

Having a sustainable certification not only helps to attract more bookings, but it also helps to create a positive reputation for the property, which can lead to repeat bookings and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. It’s an important trend for properties to adapt, not only for the travellers, but also for the environment and society.