SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL SHIFT AS AUSSIES DODGE CROWDS AND CLIMATE RISKS
Australians are rethinking how and when they travel, with extreme weather, overcrowding and rising awareness of impact reshaping holiday decisions.
2 min
Australians are quietly rewriting the rules of travel, moving away from peak-season getaways and crowded hotspots as climate concerns and changing habits reshape the industry, new research from Booking.com shows.
The 2026 Travel & Sustainability Report reveals that timing and destination are now central to how Australians approach travel, with 42 per cent planning to holiday outside peak periods and 43 per cent actively avoiding overcrowded destinations.
This is not just about comfort. It reflects a broader shift in thinking, where travellers are increasingly aware of their impact on places they visit, with many deliberately trying to reduce pressure on popular destinations.
At the same time, climate is no longer a background consideration. It is shaping decisions in a far more immediate way. Nearly three-quarters of Australians now factor extreme weather into where and when they travel, while more than a quarter have already changed or cancelled trips in the past year due to weather events.
There is also a growing sense that some destinations are becoming less viable altogether. More than half of Australians say certain locations have become too hot to visit at their preferred time of year.
A generational split is emerging
While sustainability is now firmly on the agenda, the report highlights a gap between what travellers say and what they actually do.
Younger Australians tend to express stronger views about sustainable travel, yet it is older travellers who are more likely to follow through with practical actions such as reducing waste, cutting energy use and shopping locally.
That does not mean younger travellers are disengaged. They are more likely to participate in cultural experiences and conservation-focused activities, pointing to a different interpretation of what sustainable travel looks like.
From intention to behaviour
The shift is already playing out in booking patterns. Across the region, more travellers are choosing accommodation with recognised sustainability credentials, and sustainable travel is moving from a niche consideration to a mainstream expectation.
Yet barriers remain. Cost, confusion and a lack of clear information continue to hold some travellers back from making more sustainable choices, suggesting the industry still has work to do in making those options accessible and easy to understand.
For now, the direction is clear. Travel is becoming less about ticking off destinations at peak moments and more about timing, impact and experience.
Or, put more simply, Australians are still travelling, just a little more thoughtfully than before.
As housing drives wealth and policy debate, the real risk is an economy hooked on growth without productivity to sustain it.
Limited to 630 units, Lamborghini’s latest Urus Capsule pushes personalisation further than ever, blending hybrid performance with over 70 bespoke design combinations.
From snow-dusted valleys to festival-filled autumns, Bhutan reveals itself as a rare destination where culture, nature and spirituality unfold year-round.
2 min
There are destinations you visit, and then there are those you experience slowly, season by season. Bhutan belongs firmly in the latter.
Long regarded as one of the world’s most elusive and culturally preserved nations, the Himalayan kingdom is now positioning itself not as a fleeting escape, but as a year-round destination defined by rhythm, contrast and depth.
Each season brings a distinct expression of the country’s landscape, traditions and way of life, offering travellers a rare sense of continuity between nature and culture.
Winter arrives quietly in Bhutan, settling over its valleys between December and February with snow-capped peaks and a stillness that feels almost meditative.
It is a time for retreat, when remote valleys take on a serene beauty and traditional farmhouses offer a more intimate glimpse into Bhutanese life.
Cultural gatherings such as the Druk Wangyel Tshechu, held at Dochula Pass, bring a sense of ceremony to the season, set against sweeping mountain vistas.
By contrast, spring unfolds in colour. From March to May, rhododendrons bloom across the country, orchards flower in the valleys of Paro and Haa, and the landscape shifts into something softer, more expansive.
Summer brings a different kind of richness. As monsoon rains transform the valleys into vibrant green corridors, the country’s agricultural heart becomes more visible.
Then comes autumn, often considered Bhutan’s most striking season. Clear skies open up views across the Himalayas, while the cultural calendar reaches its peak. Festivals such as Thimphu Tshechu and Thimphu Drubchen draw locals and visitors alike, with sacred mask dances, music, and ritual offerings that offer insight into Bhutan’s deeply rooted Buddhist traditions.
“Bhutan is not just a destination; it is a journey through time, culture, and nature,” said Damcho Rinzin, Director of the Department of Tourism.
“Whether it’s the serenity of the winter valleys, the blooms of spring, the vibrant energy of summer festivals, or the celebrations of autumn, Bhutan offers experiences that awaken the senses and inspire the soul. We invite travellers to explore Bhutan throughout the year, to connect with our culture, our people, and our extraordinary landscapes.”
New research suggests that bonuses make employees feel more like a mere cog in a wheel.
Limited to 630 units, Lamborghini’s latest Urus Capsule pushes personalisation further than ever, blending hybrid performance with over 70 bespoke design combinations.
